Momentum Building for Potential Seattle Franchise in the NHL

William J. Policano is a Maine-based business professional and former Sherwin Williams' Leaders Sales Award recipient who has worked as an account manager with Hancock Lumber since 2017. Outside of the the office, William Policano enjoys watching hockey.

The National Hockey League (NHL) expanded to include 31 teams this season as the Vegas Golden Knights began operations, and, given the interest in Seattle, there could very well be a 32nd team in the near future. Oak View Group, which is led by former Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke, Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and billionaire businessman David Bonderman, launched a season-ticket drive on March 1 to assess the viability of a NHL franchise in Seattle, Within 12 minutes, it received 10,000 season-ticket deposits. That number increased to 25,000 by the end of the day. 

By comparison, the Golden Knights' ownership group was viewed as a success when it received 9,000 season-ticket deposits in the first month. Bill Foley, who owns the Golden Knights, paid a $500 million franchise free for the team, but analysts suggest that the league will demand $650 million for further expansion. 

Seattle secured a NHL franchise in 1974, but the owner wasn't able to secure enough funding to move forward. While NHL executives have yet to confirm anything, Washington governor Jay Inslee might have leaked the team's proposed name during a recent statement about plans for a high-speed rail linking Seattle and Vancouver, BC, when he noted it would facilitate a rivalry between the "Seattle Totems and the Vancouver Canucks."

Rory McIlroy Wins First PGA Tournament since 2016

The recipient of a bachelor's degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University, William J. Policano serves as an account manager for Hancock Lumber in Bridgton, Maine, where his responsibilities include driving customer engagement and increasing profitability. Beyond his professional pursuits, William Policano enjoys playing and watching golf.

While much of the golf world was tracking the on-course redemption story of Tiger Woods, another former No. 1 ranked player became the focal point at the 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational in March of 2018. Northern Ireland native Rory McIlroy won the tournament in memorable fashion with a final-round score of 64 to finish three strokes ahead of Bryson DeChambeau. It was McIlroy's first PGA Tour win since the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2016 and came at a much-needed time with the Masters Tournament around the corner. Additionally, McIlroy missed the cut at the Valspar Championship the previous week.

McIlroy has won four major championships and needs to win the Masters to complete the coveted career Grand Slam of golf. The last major he won was the 2014 PGA Championship. In total, the 28-year-old now has 14 career PGA Tour victories and has earned more than $38 million in prize money.