Some of the key dates in Wild franchise history:

Last update: January 10, 2008 - 11:40 PM

Jan. 13, 1997: Gov. Arne Carlson, St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman and a group of investors, led by Bob Naegele, make an expansion bid to NHL owners in New York.

June 25, 1997: Expansion team awarded.

Jan. 22, 1998: Wild named; logo unveiled.

April 10, 1998: After late-night negotiations, team officials, St. Paul political leaders, legislators and Gov. Carlson agree on a deal to pay for a $130 million arena. The state agrees to a $65 million interest-free loan, the city kicks in $65 million, and the team agrees to pay about $6 million a year in rent and taxes.

June 1998: Architect's design of the arena is unveiled; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman apologizes for the NHL abandoning Minnesota at groundbreaking.

June 15, 2000: Xcel Energy lands naming rights to arena for $3 million a year.

Oct. 11, 2000: First regular-season home game ends in a 3-3 tie with Philadelphia.

Spring 2003 Wild rallies from 3-1 series deficits to beat Colorado and Vancouver and make NHL history, advancing to the NHL Western Conference finals, where it loses in four games to Anaheim.

Feb. 8, 2004: Xcel Energy Center plays host to the NHL All-Star Game.

Jan. 10, 2008: Team announces Naegele will sell his stake in the team to Wisconsin businessman Craig Leipold, pending league approval.

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