NHL open to another expansion franchise in Atlanta

ESPN ^ | Sep 12, 2023 | GREG WYSHYNSKI

[MinorityRepublican]

HENDERSON, Nev. -- NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly is optimistic a third franchise in Atlanta would yield better results than two previous failed expansion teams in the market.

"I think some of the challenges that we've seen in the past in Atlanta can be overcome," Daly told ESPN at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour on Tuesday.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said that expansion isn't currently a priority for the league.

"Having said that, particularly with the success of the Vegas and Seattle expansions, there are more people who want to own professional hockey teams," Daly said.

The Golden Knights (2017) and Kraken (2021) were added to the NHL in recent years, finding immediate financial success as well as success on the ice thanks to revamped expansion draft rules.

[Alberta's Child]

Actually, you are right. Houston is the larger metro area by U.S. Census measures, but based on Nielsen ratings Atlanta is the sixth-largest TV market in the U.S. (Houston is #7).

The media industry apparently defines these regions differently.

[Vermont Lt]

I was going to say….didn’t they try that already?

[MinorityRepublican]

My understanding is that the NHL's most recent failure in Atlanta was really a function of a bad arena deal, not a lack of fan interest.

And it was in a wrong location.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

They’ve already spit the bit on two teams. Why don’t they give some other city an opportunity?

Cincinnati enthusiastically supported the Stingers of the WHA and, in fact, was the last man out when the NHL absorbed the Nordiques who subsequently relocated and became the Avalanche. Cincinnati still enthusiastically supports a low-level ECHL team by turning out 10,000 a game in a leagues where most “arenas” don’t sit more than 2,500.

Let Cincinnati have a crack at the NHL! Or Houston! Or Charlotte! But never Atlanta. Not again!