NHL Expansion back on agenda?

[uhlaw97]

Tweets like this have me optimistic!

Bring back the Houston Aeros!!!

https://x.com/i/web/status/1836768357036568980

Click to read more...

 

[nhlfan79]

I just want my Atlanta Whatevers subforum!

 

[TheLegend]

Tweets like this have me optimistic!

Bring back the Houston Aeros!!!

https://x.com/i/web/status/1836768357036568980

Be interesting to see of Fertitta does agree to the expansion price after all his comments years ago.

 

[Tom ServoMST3K]

This is has been an open secret for a while now.

 

[uhlaw97]

I only wish ESPN or some official source would report this.

Hopefully, the “billionaire buyer” Fertitta finally gets a team in Houston!

 

[joelef]

Quebec fans are going to be furious

 

[StreetHawk]

Be interesting to see of Fertitta does agree to the expansion price after all his comments years ago.

I'd be surprised if it's an actual "process" like it was for LV round.

I think the NHL has targeted Hou and ATL. They want those markets after they have basically exhausted all non NBA markets (got into LV and SEA before NBA did).

Houston, really 2 questions. 1 will Fertitia pay the price the NHL wants which is going to be over $1 billion USD. Second is the arena. Will a big renovation be around the corner as the arena is 21 years old now or will they build a new one. Think it is located in the right place, so a reno should be all that is needed to secure another 25 years.

ATL, as I understand have 2 parties looking at building a new arena. NHL is going to have to pick from one of those.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Fertitta is worth 10 billion. He can afford it. I think he wants a new arena, and Houston and Harris County told him there won't be one without an NHL expansion team.

 

[Yukon Joe]

I'd be surprised if it's an actual "process" like it was for LV round.

I think the NHL has targeted Hou and ATL. They want those markets after they have basically exhausted all non NBA markets (got into LV and SEA before NBA did).

Houston, really 2 questions. 1 will Fertitia pay the price the NHL wants which is going to be over $1 billion USD. Second is the arena. Will a big renovation be around the corner as the arena is 21 years old now or will they build a new one. Think it is located in the right place, so a reno should be all that is needed to secure another 25 years.

ATL, as I understand have 2 parties looking at building a new arena. NHL is going to have to pick from one of those.

Houston - the price isn't going down. If the league is going to go to Houston it's 100% because Fertitia is willing to pay.

Atlanta - while I know there's a second group out there it seems clear (including from the Tweet at the start of the thread) that the league has been talking to Vernon Krause.,

 

[Melrose Munch]

We don't know who is funding either Atlanta Group. Who is the money man?

 

[Yukon Joe]

Quebec fans are going to be furious

Will they? Or rather should they?

Maybe you can argue about SLC, but both Houston and Atlanta are massive cities. According to the first hit I found they are the 5th and 6th largest MSAs in the US, and together with Phoenix (at 10th) the only ones without an NHL franchise.

Quebec City is only the 7th largest metro area in Canada, and wouldn't crack the top 50 in the US. (it looks like it would come in the 70s).

 

[StreetHawk]

Houston - the price isn't going down. If the league is going to go to Houston it's 100% because Fertitia is willing to pay.

Atlanta - while I know there's a second group out there it seems clear (including from the Tweet at the start of the thread) that the league has been talking to Vernon Krause.,

That's why I don't think it will be a "process". The NHL should have spoken to Fertittia and the 2 ATL groups. They should have their answers now. This should all go more like the Seattle than it did for LV. All of the work is being or has been done behind the scenes already.

 

[dj4aces]

Quebec fans are going to be furious

Will they be upset at Bettman, or the BoG? Or the myriad of groups out there that *could* provide PKP with additional financial backing (something he has been begging for since 2018), but haven't? Or, how 'bout that CAD hovering at around $0.74 to every $1 USD? If I recall, currency value was cited as a factor during the last attempt made to bring an expansion team to QC.

In this way, fans there *can* be pissed if they want, but it's a poor use of ones time and energy.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Quebec fans are going to be furious

Stop, they're not putting in a bid.

 

[dj4aces]

We don't know who is funding either Atlanta Group. Who is the money man?

Krause's funding plan allegedly includes property sales at the mixed-use development that won't be under construction until the league approves.

Carter's funding is reportedly coming from his own businesses, Aaron Zeigler (of Zeigler Automotive Group), and Simon Sports (owners of the Halifax Mooseheads)

 

[uhlaw97]

Tilman "Billionaire Buyer" Fertitta is in businesses (casinos and restaurants) that are HUGE cash cows. He's the one guy that has the cash for sure. The Toyota Center isn't brand new, but it is NHL ready, by all accounts. We still have the former WHA Aeros and former IHL/AHL Aeros practice rinks, if needed for those purposes. Come one Tilman and Bettman.........MAKE IT SO!!!

 

[Headshot77]

Quebec fans are going to be furious

They can be as furious as they want but QC simply doesn't have the population or economic upside as these major American cities. QC is still a prime relocation destination for an Eastern conference team.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Quebec fans are going to be furious

I get it, but any prospective buyer has gone radio silent since the expansion fee of half a billion was announced, and it’s doubled since then.

It just doesn’t seem like any rich folks think that’s a good investment in QC.