NHL issues a substantial update on the newest expansion team and it's a controversial destination
Photo credit: NHL.COM
The NHL has provided the latest update on the idea of expansion not only to the city of Atlanta for the 3rd time in their history, but to another location as well, just moments ago.
A few weeks ago, NHL player agent Allan Walsh confirmed that the league will be expanding to Atlanta; have a look:
The NHL will be expanding to Atlanta within the next few seasons."
- Allan Walsh
- Allan Walsh
Will the 3rd time be the charm for the National Hockey League in the city of Atlanta? That's what they are banking on, as discussions continue about bringing an expansion team to Atlanta despite a pair of teams having already failed there.
NHL analyst Darren Dreger indicated that not only will there be a possible expansion back into Atlanta, but that other cities could show interest.
NHL Board meets today. With ongoing speculation around Atlanta, expect a general report on who has approached the NHL and from where. Atlanta isn't the only one. Nothing more than an update at this point.
Last month, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that circumstances are different this time around than when the Flames departed town in 1980 and then the Thrashers in 2011.
It's a different place than when the Flames and the Thrashers left, in terms of how big the city is, how robust it is, the sporting interest.
I don't think the prior two visits have any bearing on whether or not we would go back, if all the other pieces that are referred to were put together.
I don't think the prior two visits have any bearing on whether or not we would go back, if all the other pieces that are referred to were put together.
Bettman also said that there is considerable interest from Atlanta business leaders, some of whom would be interested in owning a potential expansion team.
We're getting expressions of interest. We've talked to a couple of groups. There have been some civic leaders that have been in with people who are expressing an interest in owning a team and creating a facility.
State Farm Arena, formerly known as Philips Arena and which served as the home of the Thrashers from 1999 to 2011, recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and is now exclusively used for the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, meaning that a new hockey arena would have to be constructed.
Right now, the NHL has 32 clubs.
Previously on HawksInsider
| POLL | ||
JUIN 26 | 624 ANSWERS NHL issues a substantial update on the newest expansion team and it's a controversial destination Can you name another city more deserving than this one for a new NHL team? | ||
| Yes | 550 | 88.1 % |
| No | 74 | 11.9 % |
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