Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky has joined a group of investors attempting to bring a NHL franchise to Seattle.

It is unknown if Gretzky and his group are looking to purchase and relocate a current franchise or attempting to create an expansion team. Adding to the speculation, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman visited Seattle in May to check on the cities status concerning a potential new arena.

Hedge fund manager Chris Hansen made it clear in the past that he would love to be involved in funding a potential arena, but only if an NBA franchise was to return to the city. That plan has lost much of its steam as Hansen’s partner, Microsoft executive Steve Ballmer, bought the Clippers.

This won’t be the first time Gretzky has tried to become an NHL owner as he partnered with Providence Equity Partners in 2011 when they attempted to purchase Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment for $1.5 billion. If the group had been successful, they could have gained ownership of both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. The NHL rejected their bid as it did not abide by league rules for purchasing a team.

Gretzky’s next move is anyone’s guess, but his name carries a lot of weight in hockey circles. If an NHL team is going to come to Seattle, Wayne Gretzky is a great figure to have attached it.

[New York Post]

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