The new professional hockey team was originally expected to join the league in the 2020-21 season, given an on-time completion of the Arena expansion project. On December 4, 2018, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved Seattle's bid to become the 32nd NHL team, being the Seattle Kraken.
The new professional hockey team was initially scheduled to join the league in the 2020-21 season, contingent upon the timely completion of the Arena expansion project. On December 4, 2018, the NHL Board of Governors approved Seattle's bid for the 32nd NHL franchise, which would be called the Seattle Kraken.