How to Buy an NHL Team

Some of the most valuable franchises in the world are professional sports franchises. The National Hockey League is no exception. The decision to buy a professional sports franchise is not something to be entered into lightly. An average NHL team will cost an investor between one hundred million and half a billion dollars. With costs like these, it is best to know as much information as possible before buying an NHL team.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Set a realistic budget for buying an NHL team. A person must establish just what they are willing to spend on an NHL team. Then compare that figure with the latest purchase of a current NHL to get an idea of the going rate for an NHL team.
2. Organize a group of investors willing to spread out the cost of buying an NHL team. Rarely does a person have financial means to purchase a team alone. Even if the person does have the money, it is wise to spread out the cost of such a major purchase.
3. Identify the NHL team to purchase. Sometimes a team that is in financial trouble is available at discount because of various factors including the NHL city's economics and the owner's financial situation.
4. Meet with government officials of the city of the NHL team. Often these officials can give an investor the economic outlook for an NHL team in his or her city. Most professional teams either move or are for sale based on issues with local government. The reason being is that most NHL arenas are funded and owned partially by the city government.
5. Obtain financing for the purchase of the NHL team. This financial backing is important because the NHL and the city will want assurances that if the buyer has trouble financially there is a financial institution backing the purchase.
6. Get permission from the NHL and its owners to purchase the NHL team. Before any team is sold, it must meet NHL league and owners approval.