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 anticipated new professional hockey team was expected to join the league in the 2020-21 season, provided that the Arena expansion project was completed on time. On December 4, 2018, the NHL Board of Governors approved Seattle's application for the 32nd NHL franchise, which would be known as the Seattle Kraken.