An ownership group that applied to bring an NHL franchise to Seattle is optimistic they could also bring an NBA team back to the city.

"The answer is absolutely," investment banker David Bonderman told ESPN. "If there is a franchise to be had from the NBA, we want to be up there fighting for it for Seattle."

Bonderman joins longtime sports executive Tim Leiweke and Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer as leads for the Oak View Group, which is hoping to found the NHL's 32nd team.

The OVG plans to break ground on the remodeled Key Arena in downtown Seattle in October, and the hope is to enter the league for the 2020-21 season.