NHL comes to Las Vegas: A timeline

History was made Wednesday when the NHL became the first major sports professional league to put a franchise in Las Vegas.
Here is a look back at how Las Vegas was ultimately awarded a team:
June 24, 2015 - Board authorizes formal expansion process

The Board of Governors authorizes the initiation of a process pursuant to which the League would accept and analyze formal applications for potential expansion clubs.
"Over the past several years we have received numerous expressions of interest from potential markets and ownership groups that have indicated an interest in joining the National Hockey League. The Board decided today to examine those expressions more formally and also to welcome any other groups or markets that may be considering pursuit of an NHL team.
"The fact that we are beginning this process does not necessarily mean that any expansion teams will be granted as a result of this process."-- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman
July 6-20, 2015 - Expansion applications available
The NHL made expansion applications available to interested parties.
July 21, 2015 - League updates application process
The NHL announced that two applicant groups had chosen to participate in the formal application process.
"The deadline for filing an application and proceeding in the NHL expansion process was last night. We can confirm that we have received two applications: one from Bill Foley for a franchise in Las Vegas, Nevada, and one from Quebecor for a franchise in Quebec City, Quebec."
Video: NHL announces Las Vegas expansion franchise
August 4, 2015 - Phase 2 of Expansion Process Initiated
Following the League's preliminary review and evaluation of the Phase 1 materials, both Las Vegas and Quebec City were invited to participate in Phase 2.
August 21, 2015 - Phase 3 of Expansion Process initiated
Following the League's preliminary review and evaluation of the Phase 2 materials, both Las Vegas and Quebec City were invited to participate in Phase 3.
September 29, 2015 - Expansion applicant groups presentations/Board of Governors meeting
Presentations were made by each of the two applicant groups to the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors in New York.
At Board of Governors meeting later that day, Commissioner Bettman and Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly updated the Board on the expansion process - that the evaluation of the applications would continue and that no definitive timetable for expansion could as yet be set (but not earlier than 2017-18).
December 8, 2015 - League updates on expansion process
Commissioner Bettman provides an expansion update at media availability following Board of Governors meeting:
"The purpose was to update the committee on everything that we've done since the filing of the applications, the data that we've collected, the research that we've done and the information that we have at our disposal. Having now seen the information that's been gathered, having been 99 percent satisfied with what we've identified and what we've reported, then the committee will have to begin substantive discussions … there are many questions that still need to be resolved -- after you get past the point: Do we want to expand? Issues regarding a potential expansion draft are among them, but the biggest one remains. Are these the right markets? Are these the right applicants? Are we comfortable with the arena? The list goes on and on. It's an important, significant business decision, and it's being treated in a businesslike way."
January 20, 2016 - Executive Committee meets
The Executive Committee and League executives decided that issues with third parties needed to be resolved before providing a recommendation to the full Board of Governors.
Jan. 30, 2016 - League provides an update on expansion process
Commissioner Bettman provides an expansion update at All-Star media availability in Nashville.
"The executive committee, which is the group of owners charged with making a study and going through a process and ultimately making a recommendation to the Board of Governors met almost two weeks ago, and the process is continuing.
"We're not ready to make a recommendation. That's something that will be done over the next few months, and that recommendation can be no expansion, one team, or two teams. So the process is ongoing, but I don't have a firm date for you, but the process is on track."
June 7, 2016 - Executive Committee meets
The Executive Committee and League executives meet in New York to review and finalize the report to the League's Board of Governors. Decision is made to recommend Board approval of the Las Vegas application and to defer the Quebec City application.
June 22, 2016 - Board of Governors Meeting
The NHL's Board of Governors unanimously approved the grant of an expansion franchise to Las Vegas.