from Yoo Jee-ho and Park Young-seo of the Yonhap News Agency,

Schneider told reporters Thursday "the biggest obstacle" is who will shoulder the expenses, such as transportation, insurance and accommodations, for some 150 NHL players if they do decide to compete here....

"I understand from the IOC's perspective that they don't want to pay players to come, but at the same time, players don't necessarily want to pay to come to the Olympics as well," Schneider said. "It's certainly not something that can't be overcome. We're optimistic that it will all work out in the end. Players love playing in the Olympics. That's why we've participated in the last five Olympics."...

Lynn White, group vice president of international strategy for the NHL, said PyeongChang organizers appear to be "well ahead of schedule with respect to the preparations for the Olympic Games." Schneider compared PyeongChang favorably to Sochi, the Russian host of the 2014 Winter Olympics.

"I think they're much further ahead at this point than Sochi, roughly a little over a year out (from the Olympics)," Schneider said. "I think we're very impressed with the progress and the facilities that we've seen. I think everyone is very dedicated to having a top-notch event. We'd expect nothing less coming here. I'd anticipate that early in the new year, we should have a decision."

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