NHL’s Seattle franchise teases potential announcement of team name

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, centre left, holds a jersey after the NHL Board of Governors announced Seattle as the league's 32nd franchise. Joining Bettman, from left to right, is Jerry Bruckheimer, David Bonderman, David Wright, Tod Leiweke and Washington Wild youth hockey player Jaina Goscinski. (Stephen B. Morton/AP)

The NHL’s Seattle franchise appears to be on the verge of announcing its long-awaited team name.

In a video posted to Twitter Wednesday night, the team teased an announcement slated to take place July 23 at 9 a.m. PT.

“The 32nd franchise comes to life,” the video’s caption read.

Though the video does not indicate specifics as to what the announcement will be, it is widely believed to be Seattle’s team name, the announcement for which has been delayed since mid-March.

In a statement posted to the team’s website at the time, CEO and team president Tod Leiweke said the “unprecedented times” with the coronavirus outbreak changed the timeline for announcing the name and that the franchise would “look for the right time” to unveil what the team will be called.

Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke will join Jeff Marek, Brian Burke and Justin Bourne on Sportsnet 590 The Fan at 12:30 E.T. Thursday to discuss the NHL franchise’s announcement.

The Seattle expansion team will begin play in the 2021-22 season after renovations are complete at the Seattle Centre arena.

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