NHL to look at Mexico as an expansion of the Latino fanbase

[Blackhawkswincup]

To grow game in unconventional area's the NHL should be investing in iceless hockey especially for youths

That way you introduce people to game especially an affordable form of game

 

[Kirk Van Houten]

Are there even arenas that have decent capacity?

Perhaps they have to play outdoor game in Tijuana, Vegas-LA Kings

The NBA played some regular season games before covid in the Mexico City Arena that actually has a capacity set at 22,300. Even UFC put two PPV there.

 

[TheLegend]

I think it's to bump interest in the nearby teams (well northern Mexico) in southern California and Arizona teams. No harm. Unlikely we'll see a Mexican team when Arizona are barely keeping their head above water.

Arizona is roughly 40% Hispanic, and up until Meruelo bought the Coyotes 2 years ago, they've done next to nothing in promoting the sport to that portion of the market.

 

[chauron]

The NBA played some regular season games before covid in the Mexico City Arena that actually has a capacity set at 22,300. Even UFC put two PPV there.

Sure, I meant ones with icing capability. Unless it’s possible to have a temp system.

 

[Brodeur]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hlinka_Gretzky_Cup#Results

Pardon me while I have an excuse to tell this anecdote. What we now know as the summer time Hlinka Gretzky Cup began in the early 90's as the Pacific Cup. The first few years were hosted by Japan but in 1994 the tournament was held in Mexico City.

Awhile back I was watching the 1995 NHL Draft on YouTube and there were a few instances when the commentators would say something to the effect of "He looked good in Mexico" while describing a prospect without a hint of sarcasm.

 

[Kirk Van Houten]

Sure, I meant ones with icing capability. Unless it’s possible to have a temp system.

This might be an issue but i don't think it's a huge one

 

[kaiser matias]

Why do people think like this? I’ve never lived where it snows, yet I’m a big enough hockey fan to spend time here. I own Sharks jerseys, shirts, and hats. I buy tickets to NHL and AHL games, watch on tv, and have even have traveled to attend games. All because I was exposed to hockey and like it despite the fact that I’ve never shoveled snow.

It's the same for Vancouver. I grew up on Vancouver Island, where it snows maybe once a year, and certainly isn't cold enough for outdoor skating. Yet I and all of my friends were huge hockey fans, and the Canucks generally well-supported in the region.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Sure, I meant ones with icing capability. Unless it’s possible to have a temp system.

It's certainly possible to have a temporary system outdoors, so I imagine it's at least theoretically possible to do indoors.

 

[OG6ix]

It's the same for Vancouver. I grew up on Vancouver Island, where it snows maybe once a year, and certainly isn't cold enough for outdoor skating. Yet I and all of my friends were huge hockey fans, and the Canucks generally well-supported in the region.

You are right - in the GTA I don't even see a whole lot of people skating on ice ponds and the amount of ice rinks are minimal lol.

 

[SkalbaniasGhost]

The San Diego option is starting to align. Oak View Group unveils Midway Village+ on the 17th.

 

[SkalbaniasGhost]

The San Diego option becomes more visible. Oak View Group unveils Midway Village+ plan on the 17th.

 

[Wolf357]

Who would of guessed that the NHL would be in Phoenix, Tampa, Vegas, Miami, or Raleigh 35 years ago… so who knows…
But in all honesty Mexico City would really do well with a MLB or NFL franchise… What would be really awesome is one day seeing Cuba getting it’s act together and seeing a MLB team in Havana..

 

[LeHab]

Recent media deal granted ESPN broadcasting rights in Mexico.

N.H.L. Hopes to Extend Its Reach to Latino Audiences

Baby steps...

 

[gstommylee]

The San Diego option is starting to align. Oak View Group unveils Midway Village+ on the 17th.

Nhl isnt going to expand again any time for the foreseeable future.

 

[BruinsFan37]

If the NFL thought a team could support eight home games in Mexico City there would be a team there already. To think that the NHL could do forty-one games there when the NFL doesn't think it can do even half as many is just plain silly, especially when the NFL already has some following in Mexico.

That being said, Mexico City is a HUGE largely untapped market for professional sports in North America. Largest city on the continent at 20-24 million in the metro area. If you could attract 3% of that you'd have more fans than people that live in Winnipeg -- total.

So no, right now an expansion team in Mexico City makes zero sense, but then expansion beyond 32-teams isn't likely for the distant future anyway (think 10+ years at least). That is more than enough time for the NHL to spark interest though exhibition games (which could prolly happen right now if they were so inclined) and greater media presence so that if/when the NHL does decide to expand it would be foolish to not at least look at Mexico City as a potential expansion target.

 

[alko]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hlinka_Gretzky_Cup#Results

Pardon me while I have an excuse to tell this anecdote. What we now know as the summer time Hlinka Gretzky Cup began in the early 90's as the Pacific Cup. The first few years were hosted by Japan but in 1994 the tournament was held in Mexico City.

Awhile back I was watching the 1995 NHL Draft on YouTube and there were a few instances when the commentators would say something to the effect of "He looked good in Mexico" while describing a prospect without a hint of sarcasm.

And do we know how many people were in standings? Not scouts.

 

[tarheelhockey]

More context for efforts to reach a Latino audience.

NHL and NHLPA celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

https://mobile.twitter.com/nhlespanol

Amerigol LATAM Cup Returns to South Florida

Stars to celebrate 'Noche Mexicana' on Tuesday, March 24 against Kings

Hispanic Heritage Night

Coyotes + Dignity Health to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

First Cuban American NHL Player Al Montoya Joins Dallas Stars As Director Of Community Outreach

Latino people account for upwards of 30% of the population in the southwest and Florida, and also make up a big part of the community in the Northeastern corridor (Boston/NYC/NJ/Philly/DC), Chicago, Denver, NC. There are not-insignificant populations in all NHL cities.

 

[kaiser matias]

Related to efforts to attract a Hispanic audience, recall that in 2006 the Panthers hosted an exhibition match in Puerto Rico against the Rangers:

Hockey in Puerto Rico: a story of triumph, destruction and a new beginning

 

[awfulwaffle]

If the NFL thought a team could support eight home games in Mexico City there would be a team there already. To think that the NHL could do forty-one games there when the NFL doesn't think it can do even half as many is just plain silly, especially when the NFL already has some following in Mexico.

That being said, Mexico City is a HUGE largely untapped market for professional sports in North America. Largest city on the continent at 20-24 million in the metro area. If you could attract 3% of that you'd have more fans than people that live in Winnipeg -- total.

So no, right now an expansion team in Mexico City makes zero sense, but then expansion beyond 32-teams isn't likely for the distant future anyway (think 10+ years at least). That is more than enough time for the NHL to spark interest though exhibition games (which could prolly happen right now if they were so inclined) and greater media presence so that if/when the NHL does decide to expand it would be foolish to not at least look at Mexico City as a potential expansion target.

They aren't talking about expansion, they are just talking about a preseason or regular season game down there. Like the NFL playing in London.

 

[Reaser]

Mexico City was an option for the NHL on Arli$$

 

[aqib]

That being said, Mexico City is a HUGE largely untapped market for professional sports in North America. Largest city on the continent at 20-24 million in the metro area. If you could attract 3% of that you'd have more fans than people that live in Winnipeg -- total.

So no, right now an expansion team in Mexico City makes zero sense, but then expansion beyond 32-teams isn't likely for the distant future anyway (think 10+ years at least). That is more than enough time for the NHL to spark interest though exhibition games (which could prolly happen right now if they were so inclined) and greater media presence so that if/when the NHL does decide to expand it would be foolish to not at least look at Mexico City as a potential expansion target.

Wow. I have sarcastically made this comment many times over the years when people point to population of some warm weather city vs a smaller northern market where hockey is a religion. I never thought anyone would make that argument seriously.

 

[Section 104]

If Mexico can afford a Formula 1 race; they can afford to see an NHL game. No harm in trying a pre reason game or two if the ice making facilities are good. But it will take time to introduce a new sport and it would be a big help if Mexico could produce an NHL star which as asking an awful lot.

 

[Dirtyf1ghter]

I think the chances of this happening are very low.

The expansion process is complete. I hardly see the NHL with more than 32 teams.

The recent expansions took place because there was too much West-East imbalance.

Hockey is very poorly established in Mexico. The future of Mexican hockey depends on the development of a Mexican league and a training project.

There are already many teams playing in states with a large population of Mexican origin. Some are in difficulty (Arizona, Florida).

Nonetheless, I think hockey is going to become more and more popular among Hispanics. For the simple reason that the NHL is accessible to Hispanic youth. Unlike the NBA and NFL which are increasingly leagues reserved exclusively for African-American youth, a young Mexican-American can hope to become an NHL star.

If the NHL is to increase its influence, the league must look to Europe and cross the Atlantic by franchising 32 European teams and segmenting the NHL into two levels (NHL 1 and NHL 2) of 32 teams.

It is quite possible that one day or another, a European league will form if European players become the majority and more and more (40% of the players selected over the last 5 years are European; probably a new record will be set in 2022 ) and that the NHL ignore this trend reversal.

I can already see that Europeans are leaving Europe less and less to play in CHL or in the minor leagues.

The KHL already had this project to overthrow the NHL but it failed because the project was centered around Russia and Central Asia and because the local development were not performing well enough.

If a project bringing together Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, etc and that investors follow and that the hockey elite of tomorrow is predominantly made up of European players, there could be a reversal.

 

[OG6ix]

I don't think people are understanding the idea here. NHL never said anything about expanding to Mexico full time. Maybe just play exhibition games there and have teams close to the border televised there.

 

[Chet Manley]

I think the chances of this happening are very low.

The expansion process is complete. I hardly see the NHL with more than 32 teams.

The recent expansions took place because there was too much West-East imbalance.

Hockey is very poorly established in Mexico. The future of Mexican hockey depends on the development of a Mexican league and a training project.

There are already many teams playing in states with a large population of Mexican origin. Some are in difficulty (Arizona, Florida).

Nonetheless, I think hockey is going to become more and more popular among Hispanics. For the simple reason that the NHL is accessible to Hispanic youth. Unlike the NBA and NFL which are increasingly leagues reserved exclusively for African-American youth, a young Mexican-American can hope to become an NHL star.

If the NHL is to increase its influence, the league must look to Europe and cross the Atlantic by franchising 32 European teams and segmenting the NHL into two levels (NHL 1 and NHL 2) of 32 teams.

It is quite possible that one day or another, a European league will form if European players become the majority and more and more (40% of the players selected over the last 5 years are European; probably a new record will be set in 2022 ) and that the NHL ignore this trend reversal.

I can already see that Europeans are leaving Europe less and less to play in CHL or in the minor leagues.

The KHL already had this project to overthrow the NHL but it failed because the project was centered around Russia and Central Asia and because the local development were not performing well enough.

If a project bringing together Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, etc and that investors follow and that the hockey elite of tomorrow is predominantly made up of European players, there could be a reversal.

I'd be really surprised if expansion is complete. But if it is it won't be because 32 is a nice number or division/conference alignment. Do you have a deep pockets owner, enough corporate support, and people willing to spend lots of money on NHL tickets? BAM new NHL team number 33.