PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The National Hockey League took another step in its grand expansion plans Thursday by awarding new franchises to Anaheim, Calif., and Miami.
The moves, announced on the first of three days of NHL meetings, likely would put the teams in place no later than for the start of the 1994-95 season.
The Anaheim franchise was awarded to the Walt Disney Co., with several conditions attached. The Miami franchise went to H. Wayne Huizenga, the owner of baseball's Florida Marlins and the Blockbuster video company.
Disney's acquisition depends on the company agreeing with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings over territorial rights and finding a suitable arena for home games.
Anaheim is the home of baseball's California Angels and the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, although neither team has a connection to Disney.
The Anaheim and Miami franchises will be required to make a $50 million entry fee, almost half of what Tampa Bay and Ottawa were bound to pay for their right to join the league this season.
This additions of Tampa Bay and Ottawa brought the league to 24 teams. The league, which had but six teams 25 years ago, plans to expand to 28 clubs by the end of the century.
The league is without a national network television contract in the United States and is looking into ways to broaden its appeal, among them freeing NHL players to compete at the Winter Olympics, an item on the agenda for the meetings.
'Throughout my 12 years in the league, I've felt it was absolutely critical that we establish a significant national presence in the U.S,' Minnesota North Stars owner Norm Green said. 'The moves into Anaheim and Miami are terrific steps in that direction.'
Disney is one of the premier entertainment companies in the nation, with gross revenues of $8 billion. By joining the NHL the company provides theleague with an exceptional marketing and promotional vehicle.
'This is a great day for the National Hockey League,' said Kings' owner Bruce McNall, who is also chairman of the league's Board of Governors. 'Two companies that bring together great notoriety and experience, such as Disney and Blockbuster, will add a great deal to the NHL.
'Having partners like Michael Eisner and Wayne Huizenga adds great profile to our league. The marketing experience of both companies speaks for itself as our league grows in stature.'
Disney said from its Burbank, Calif., headquarters it has begun talks with possible operators of a new arena. Based on NHL guidelines, advance ticket sales would have to demonstrate reasonable team support from the region before the franchise is formally awarded.
'We believe that bringing professional hockey to the area will further the cooperative efforts of The Walt Disney Co. and the city to help strengthen Anaheim's position as a major tourist destination,' said Eisner, Disney's chairman and chief executive officer.
Eisner said ownership of a hockey team would provide promotional opportunities with Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel. The hockey games would also be another source of sports programming for the Disney-owned Los Angeles television station KCAL, which now carries games of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers.
Another key subject of discussion at the meetings is the selection of a new chief executive. Gil Stein, the league president, and Gary Bettman, general counsel of the NBA, are the leading candidates. Owners have not decided if the league constitution calls for the title of commissioner.
Stein, 64, the NHL's longtime legal counsel, was named interim president in June after the Board of Governors forced out John Ziegler. Stein has assumed a more visible role than Ziegler and has moved to curb violence in the league. He has campaigned for NHL players competing at the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway.
Bettman, 40, played a key role in NBA labor negotiations, including institution of the salary cap.
Also on the agenda are the financial problems of the Hartford Whalers.
