The NHL is one step closer to establishing expansion teams in Las Vegas and Quebec City.

The league announced Tuesday it has received applications from prospective ownership groups in both markets, a day after a deadline for submissions.

The Las Vegas bid was submitted by billionaire businessman Bill Foley, who has spent the past seven months exploring the level of interest for professional hockey in the community. Montreal-based Quebecor, a Canadian media and telecommunications giant, submitted the bid for Quebec City.

There are at least two more steps in the expansion process, and the bids require approval from the NHL's Board of Governors.

The league doesn't anticipate adding teams before the 2017-18 season. The proposed expansion fee is at least $500 million.