ECHL in New Mexico in 2026-27?

[RedLightDistrict]

The reason New Mexico has been so on-again off-again with the ECHL is there were two groups competing to put a team in Rio Rancho. The groups have since merged and it seems like this push has legitimate backing and support from both the city and the league.

Surely this doesn't include the presence of Jerry James (who served as president of the Atlanta Gladiators prior to their purchase by the Anson Carter-led consortium) and completely mis-managed that franchise even prior to Zawyer's involvement?

https://www.rrobserver.com/news/hoc...cle_805df111-917f-5243-b820-4127b4bb2923.html

Rio Rancho is on the verge of getting another hockey team.
The team, which will be named the Raptors, is expected to be part of the ECHL, a 27-team league in 20 states and two provinces in Canada. Play will start in October 2023 on the Raptors’ home ice — the Rio Rancho Events Center.
The team is owned by RJ Sports LLC out of Atlanta, Ga., said Joe Cordova, general manager and former Rio Rancho city councilor.

“RJ Sports LLC has plans to bring an ECHL team to the Rio Rancho Events Center,” Cordova confirmed in an email Wednesday.
Jerry James, the president and CEO of RJ Sports “is excited to bring a professional hockey team to New Mexico and Rio Rancho,” Cordova said.

If so, have I got a bridge to sell the folks of Rio Rancho.

 

[Atlantian]

Surely this doesn't include the presence of Jerry James (who served as president of the Atlanta Gladiators prior to their purchase by the Anson Carter-led consortium) and completely mis-managed that franchise even prior to Zawyer's involvement?

https://www.rrobserver.com/news/hoc...cle_805df111-917f-5243-b820-4127b4bb2923.html



If so, have I got a bridge to sell the folks of Rio Rancho.

Jerry James is no longer involved with the project and has been barred from the ECHL from what I have been told. He laid the groundwork with the city supposedly, but the league was very against continuing with his group. I personally know someone who has been working on the current Rio Rancho project

 

[RedLightDistrict]

Jerry James is no longer involved with the project and has been barred from the ECHL from what I have been told. He laid the groundwork with the city supposedly, but the league was very against continuing with his group. I personally know someone who has been working on the current Rio Rancho project

I’d be curious then to know, when/how did REV Sports get involved and what prompted their involvement.