Milwaukee Drops NHL Bid

The NHL said today that Milwaukee has withdrawn its bid for an expansion team.

“Although we do not agree with some of the reasons or conclusions indicated by Milwaukee representatives relating to the withdrawal, we certainly respect their right to do so,” NHL Commissioner John Ziegler said.

Earlier, Lloyd Pettit, one of the leaders of Milwaukee’s bid, said some of the NHL’s criteria for obtaining an expansion team--a $50-million entry fee and a minimum season ticket base of 10,000--were unrealistic.

“I stirred up a bee’s nest,” Pettit said at the time. “As far as our enthusiasm about the NHL, that hasn’t dimmed whatsoever.”