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The National Hockey League (NHL) will reportedly set a US$2 billion fee for any future expansion team, as the league moves closer to agreeing a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA).
While the league is not actively looking to add teams at the moment, Sportico reports that existing franchise owners were briefed on the potential asking price at a board of governors meeting earlier this week. Six potential groups were discussed each of which would also be required to spend US$1 billion towards a new arena if necessary.
When asked about expansion after the meeting, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said to reporters that the league has “no pending applications, and we’re not seeking to initiate a formal process at this point”.
The Seattle Kraken, the latest team to enter the NHL, paid a US$650 million expansion fee in December 2018 while the sale of a majority stake in the Tampa Bay Lightning generated US$1.8 billion last year. With investor demand for sports franchises currently booming, Forbes estimates the average value of an NHL franchise to be at US$1.9 billion.
The league may take a closer look at expansion once it finalises a new four-year CBA with the NHLPA, due to expire in September 2030.
According to ESPN, the new CBA would see the NHL expand its regular season to 84 games, with the preseason to be shortened as a result. Meanwhile, player contracts will be limited to seven years, with the practice of deferring salaries to be eliminated.
The agreement is also said to stipulate a 50-50 split of hockey-related revenue between players and owners, and will feature stronger controls to ensure franchises abide by the salary cap during the playoffs.
Once ratified, the CBA is expected to bring stability to the league, following three lockouts in the past two decades.
This week, the NHL and NHLPA also announced the launch of the selection process for the host city of the next World Cup of Hockey tournament, which will be held on February 2028. Cities across Europe, North America and other international markets have been invited to submit proposals to stage the eight-nation event, which will take place over 12 days.
Any city with a venue capable of meeting NHL competition standards will be eligible for selection, with the league and NHLPA to also proactively approach select cities. Those not contacted are still invited to launch their candidacy, with a final selection expected to take place in the first quarter of 2026. Playfly Sports will administer the selection process.
The last edition of the tournament was held in 2016, with Canada’s Toronto hosting the event. Subsequent attempts to stage the competition were impacted by labour issues between the NHL and NHLPA, as well as clashes with the 2022 Winter Olympics.
International ice hockey has seen an upturn in popularity, with the recent 4 Nations Face-Off drawing bumper viewership and fan attendances earlier this year.
“The World Cup of Hockey is a showcase of international hockey at the highest level, and we are thrilled to begin the host city selection process for 2028,” said Bettman. “This tournament offers cities a chance to be part of something truly global, while delivering meaningful economic and cultural benefits in return.”
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