Former NHL owner Howard Baldwin told the Kansas City Star that he would have interest of forming an ownership group for a team in Kansas City if the Area Funding issue is passed on August 3rd. Baldwin founded the Hartford Whalers and was part owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1990’s. The proposed downtown arena’s future hinges on Kansas City voters passing a measure, which would add a user fee to hotel and rental car bills. If it passes, an NHL team would appear in Kansas City only if another team moves—the NHL has no expansion plans. Kansas City had a brief stint in the NHL when the Kansas City Explorers played from 1974-1976. The team moved to Colorado for six seasons before settling in New Jersey.