The NHL has taken a baby step in the idea of expanding to Las Vegas, according to an ESPN.com report.

Commissioner Gary Bettman announced after the first day of the board of governors' meetings that the league has agreed to allow potential Las Vegas team owner William Foley the right to conduct a season-ticket drive in order to gauge the market's interest in having an NHL team.

But Bettman stressed several times during his media address that this does not tie the league to a guarantee of expanding to Las Vegas.