NHL-Las Vegas, Quebec City apply to join National Hockey League

July 21 (Reuters) - Las Vegas is hoping to gain its first major sports team with confirmation that it is one of two cities to apply to join the National Hockey League. Bids from Las Vegas and Quebec City were submitted to the NHL by the Monday deadline, the league said on Tuesday. "We can confirm that we have received two applications: one from Bill Foley for a franchise in Las Vegas, Nevada, and one from Quebecor for a franchise in Quebec City, Quebec," the league said. Bill Foley is a businessman who heads the group named Hockey Vision Las Vegas. Quebecor, a Canadian telecom and media conglomerate, announced on Monday it was seeking a franchise. The league said they were the only two to apply from the 16 that initially expressed interest. "Apparently, only Mr. Foley and Quebecor have the confidence in their ability to secure an arena and suitable ownership capability to move forward with this process," the NHL said. Multiple reports said the potential new owners had to include a $10 million down payment. Two more stages of "documentation submission" are required before a final decision on whether to award new franchises. Las Vegas has hosted dozens of boxing world title fights but does not have a franchise in any of the four major American team sports leagues. Quebec City has not had an NHL team since the Nordiques left for Denver and became the Colorado Avalanche in 1995. The NHL has not expanded since adding its 29th and 30th teams, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, in 2000. (Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina, editing by Gene Cherry)