The NHL Board of Governors has agreed to consider an application for an NHL expansion franchise in Seattle, commissioner Gary Bettman said in a press conference Thursday, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.

Bettman said the expansion fee would be $650 million, which is $150 million more than Las Vegas paid.

The NHL will allow a potential ownership group, led by billionaire David Bonderman and legendary film and TV producer Jerry Bruckheimer, to file an application and then conduct a season-ticket drive, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

While this is similar to the Golden Knights' beginnings, it doesn't guarantee a team will arrive in the Pacific Northwest.

If a team was indeed brought to Seattle, it would be looking at the 2020-21 season to begin play, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

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