Every time there’s a story written about the NHL Expansion process a few numbers get thrown around. $500 million for the team, $10 million for the expansion application, and the last one, a $2 million dollar non-refundable deposit for submitting the application.

I don’t like to get too deep into finances on this site because in the end it shouldn’t effect the expansion process here in Las Vegas one way or the other. However, this little $2 million nugget keeps jumping off the page when I read it.

Assume you were applying for a job and the employer required a $500 nonrefundable deposit to submit your application. You go through their hiring process, meet and exceed every qualification, ace the interviews, and then when it comes time for them to pick a candidate, they decide they are no longer looking to hire.

Wouldn’t you be a bit upset about the $500 that you wasted?

The Creator’s pitch to the league is as strong as one can possibly be. He’s sold the tickets, he’s gotten the stadium, he’s drummed up the interest, and he’s been there every step of the way to answer every question.

So, if the league doesn’t wind up expanding, he’s got every right to be pissed about this $2 million check that the league will have effectively stolen from him.

In the scheme of things, it’s probably not the most important piece of information that will come from the fallout of the NHL’s final decision, but it’s one that’s worth keeping an eye on.

The Creator held up his end of the bargain. That deposit will go a long way in showing exactly how money hungry this league really is.