2000 2000 2007 Columbus Blue Jackets Team Formation Columbus’ hopes for the bid dimmed when the May referendum failed. However, Nationwide announced on May 31, 1997, that it would finance the $150-million arena. Subsequently, on June 25, 1997, the NHL announced that Columbus would receive a new franchise. On June 23, 2000, the NHL’s two newest teams, the Blue Jackets, …