Surprise new city enters expansion sweepstakes and Gary Bettman would be much richer
Photo credit: Sports Pro
A new city has entered the conversation for expansion into the National Hockey League per a report from analyst Frank Seravalli, and that's gotta be music to Commissioner Gary Bettman's ears.
There is already one NHL team in the Lone Star State, but as they say, everything is bigger in Texas.
Per a new report from analyst Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff, the city of Austin, Texas, is interested in throwing its hat into the ring for an NHL expansion club.
This is in addition to the reported interest from New Orleans, Indianapolis, Houston, and for what would be the 3rd time, Atlanta.
The fifth one is Austin, Texas, according to sources, and that entry has generated buzz. Not only is it an exploding, affluent market full of transplants with a built-in geographic rival - but it's also the only one where the NHL can be the first major pro sports league in town, which has been a huge part of their success beating others to the punch in Vegas.
Austin is approximately 195 miles from Dallas, roughly the same distance by drive as Edmonton is from Calgary. There is a current hockey presence as the Texas Stars have had lots of success in the AHL playing at H-E-B Center in nearby Cedar Park. Right now, the MLS' Austin FC is the only other pro game in town, joining the Texas Longhorns on the sports scene.
Many feel that the NHL already has too many teams with 32, and that the overall talent pool could soon become diluted with the addition of one or even two more teams.
Right now, whether the NHL expands to 33 or even 34 clubs remains to be sorted out by Bettman and his overseers.
Previously on HawksInsider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 17 | 444 ANSWERS Surprise new city enters expansion sweepstakes and Gary Bettman would be much richer Does the NHL need more expansion? | ||
| Yes | 132 | 29.7 % |
| No | 312 | 70.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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