Yukon Joe
Registered User
(and for the record, both of things were me. I'm not calling anyone else dumb).
Respect.
(and for the record, both of things were me. I'm not calling anyone else dumb).
Next largest MSA would be…. Maybe San Diego?If Atlanta and Houston is brought in to the fold (and by miracle Arizona stays), that pretty much covers all the major US markets doesn't it?
Trust me... I'm right there with you. Good times!(and for the record, both of things were me. I'm not calling anyone else dumb).
The current top ten is, in order: NY, LA, CHI, DAL, HOU, DC, PHI, ATL, MIA, and PHX. So indeed. if/when the two prospective markets have franchises, and Arizona stays put, that covers the top ten.If Atlanta and Houston is brought in to the fold (and by miracle Arizona stays), that pretty much covers all the major US markets doesn't it?
The 5 largest MSAs without teams, if we add Houston and Atlanta without losing Phoenix, are Inland Empire, San Diego, Baltimore, Orlando, and San Antonio. Inland Empire and Baltimore have teams in their CSA, though, so San Diego would be the largest completely unserved area.Next largest MSA would be…. Maybe San Diego?
The 5 largest MSAs without teams, if we add Houston and Atlanta without losing Phoenix, are Inland Empire, San Diego, Baltimore, Orlando, and San Antonio. Inland Empire and Baltimore have teams in their CSA, though, so San Diego would be the largest completely unserved area.
Next largest MSA would be…. Maybe San Diego?
Honestly just spitballing here, because I really know nothing about the NHL's plans, but here are the trees I see in this dark and unknown forest before us:CSA's are better, since MSAs can infringe on the territorial rights of the teams (Riverside/Inland Empire) and also show the available customers for an RSN much better...
Your top five right now by size would be: Houston, Atlanta, Portland, San Diego, Salt Lake. And those are all very viable candidates.
That's 4 West and 1 East...
Assuming that Orlando, Cleveland, Baltimore, Hartford, Charlotte, Cincinnati are off the table because of proximity to current teams, next up (again only by population of market) is...
Indianapolis (Building is NBA only)
Virginia Beach (too close to CAR?)
After that, you're getting into your Jacksonville (too small with NFL), Louisville, Richmond...
So really #6 is Quebec. Unless Nashville WANTS to be in the East, then you could look at Austin or San Antonio.
Honestly just spitballing here, because I really know nothing about the NHL's plans, but here are the trees I see in this dark and unknown forest before us:
You know, I mentioned this as a thought experiment a while back, and it's an interesting what-if (and that's all it is because I have no idea if there's a logistical or business model that could make it work). That said, what if Gladiators owners Alex Campbell and Anson Carter buy into a (very) small percentage of the KSEG-owned NHL team and KSEG buys into a small percentage of the Gladiators?There's really not much known about it right now, but it does make me wonder a bit.
A couple years back, Athens was supposedly going to receive an ECHL team. While the potential return of the NHL to Atlanta swirls about, and with that site now popping up, it's possible that Athens will receive an ECHL team and the Gladiators joins the AHL, or that Athens becomes the home of an AHL team.
Or, it could be nothing at all. Who among us can say for sure?
Semi-related, not really but there is now an AthensProHockey.com website accepting deposits for a 2024-25 professional hockey team (goes to the Classic Center website/store). I presume this means Athens is getting an SPHL team.
Another great step forward in building hockey in Georgia.
There's really not much known about it right now, but it does make me wonder a bit.
A couple years back, Athens was supposedly going to receive an ECHL team. While the potential return of the NHL to Atlanta swirls about, and with that site now popping up, it's possible that Athens will receive an ECHL team and the Gladiators joins the AHL, or that Athens becomes the home of an AHL team.
Or, it could be nothing at all. Who among us can say for sure?
As a result, KSEG could help with some of the money needed to upgrade the Glads from the ECHL to the AHL (like whatever entry fee the latter charges), and they could also save a lot of money (and logistical headaches moving players back and forth) having their primary developmental team only a few miles away. And both teams could benefit by cross-promoting and cross-marketing with the other.
It's a crime that the Glads didn't become an AHL team in 2011. Stepping them up when the NHL finally comes back would almost be a kick in the nuts, although I don't know where else you'd put an AHL team nearby.
The Georgia Fire Birds would be super cool.Anyone think that when they do this that they will be ‘Georgia’ and not ‘Atlanta?’ There then would need be a crossover with two Atlanta franchises.
Part of the reason I went to undergrad where I did was because of the ECHL team that played on campus. Had a blast, but it was never run or marketed as an event for students, but for the working professionals in the city.Just got that targeted ad today too. I would've loved to have minor league hockey in college. Cheap tickets and cheap beer. I bet it does well.
I have absolutely NO interest in hearing anything that the Atlanta $pirit Septocluster's™ hit man has to say.The Ray and Dregs Hockey Podcast interviewed Don Waddell earlier today, and he relates a few stories from his time here in Atlanta. The link should start where the interview begins.
I look at it more like this... Waddell only ever did what ownership told him to. He was "the good little soldier". While that wouldn't excuse anyone from war crimes, those who are just following orders in a business will always land on their feet.I have absolutely NO interest in hearing anything that the Atlanta $pirit Septocluster's™ hit man has to say.
Time will tell.If the Gladiators were to move from the ECHL to the AHL, that's exactly it, right? A prospect could be told to get a house/apartment in Duluth or Johns Creek, and if they get called up to the NHL, they don't have to move anywhere. A lot of teams are trying to cut the distance between them and their developmental teams, and some NHL owners also own at least part of their AHL affiliates.
From where I'm sitting though, there's a whole lot that needs to happen before any of this other stuff becomes remote possibilities, least of which being the NHL talking more openly about expansion.
The Gladiators former owners were quite content with the team remaining a part of the ECHL, which as I understand it, is a very big reason why they're still in the ECHL. With Campbell and Carter now owning the franchise (as of October 2022), that feeling may change -- especially if/when the NHL makes its return to the region.
Time will tell.
If the NHL comes back to Atlanta, I predict that the Gladiators move up to the AHL and Savannah becomes the ECHL affiliate. Athens and Macon are perfectly sized for SPHL franchises. Columbus has an FPHL team but hopefully the Cottonmouths come back one day. Crazy to think that in just a few years as many as 6 Georgia cities will be home to a hockey franchise. That really bodes well for the 3rd shot.