Potential Atlanta NHL Expansion Team Thread

[GKJ]

Maybe in his college days? I don't think Waffle House has any locations north of Ohio, though I have no idea whether they had any locations in Ohio when he was in college. Outside that, I think it's highly unlikely.



When interests align, even the most fierce of opponents can come together to see a dream become a reality. Whoever wins this particular battle for a franchise, I think the other would support it.

I would point out though, that while we've been learning a little more about the Krause group as time passes, there's still a lot we don't know. But with Carter's group, we know who a few of the others involved are.

This also might shine a light on what to expect with regards to minor league affiliates.

I went to suburban Savannah (as much as that place can have suburbs) and that was the first time I had been to a Waffle House, though I know one exists in the Lehigh Valley

 

[dj4aces]

I just don't see Anson's group as the favorite at this point. The investors listed in the press release don't scream tons of money, which is why they're likely partnering with New York Life. New York Life owns North Point Mall and will likely finance the arena and own it in exchange for the team lease. Just screams ASG all over again - too many chiefs, not enough indians.

To be fair, we don't know any investors associated with Krause. There's an assumption Rogers is involved, but it's just an assumption.

 

[aqib]

I mean no disrespect to anyone, but I find the debate between LOCATION extremely silly because the two sites are 5.5 miles apart.

Give each of them a team so then QC and Hamilton would each be able to get a team in a few years.

 

[nhlfan79]

Give each of them a team so then QC and Hamilton would each be able to get a team in a few years.

You've been trolling the same line literally for years now, and it still was never funny or even clever.

 

[sneakytitz]

To be fair, we don't know any investors associated with Krause. There's an assumption Rogers is involved, but it's just an assumption.

We don't know Krause's investors but we know who's with Anson and Krause has more money than all of them combined, in multiples.

I just don't see how a guy that's saying "the only thing I need to get started is a memorandum that says you'll pay X if we get a team" before he starts building a billion+ dollar complex isn't 100% confident he will get the franchise. I can promise you that today's news isn't news to him.

 

[nhlfan79]

We don't know Krause's investors but we know who's with Anson and Krause has more money than all of them combined, in multiples.

I just don't see how a guy that's saying "the only thing I need to get started is a memorandum that says you'll pay X if we get a team" before he starts building a billion+ dollar complex isn't 100% confident he will get the franchise. I can promise you that today's news isn't news to him.

Aaron Ziegler is a billionaire, or so I'm told. If so, he's not small potatoes.

 

[dj4aces]

Aaron Ziegler is a billionaire, or so I'm told. If so, he's not small potatoes.

According to this, his net worth was $1.08bn -- in 2017. I don't know what it is today.

 

[nhlfan79]

According to this, his net worth was $1.08bn -- in 2017. I don't know what it is today.

I'm reading that article differently to say that was his company's annual sales for that year, not his net worth. If he's generating a $1+ billion in sales per year, he's a big fish.

 

[dj4aces]

I'm reading that article differently to say that was his company's annual sales for that year, not his net worth. If he's generating a $1+ billion in sales per year, he's a big fish.

I could've been reading it wrong, and if so, that's entirely my mistake. Oops.

 

[aqib]

You've been trolling the same line literally for years now, and it still was never funny or even clever.

Actually this one is new because I've never said two teams before

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Actually this one is new because I've never said two teams before

Doublely not funny

 

[sneakytitz]

Aaron Ziegler is a billionaire, or so I'm told. If so, he's not small potatoes.

I don't doubt his family, collectively, is.

 

[sneakytitz]

Regardless of who has what in their bank account, a bit more perspective:

The reason the redevelopment plan for North Point mall failed back in 2022 was that it was HEAVY apartment/townhome. Alpharetta, wisely in my opinion, only wants so many apartments/townhomes within city proper, and for a number of reasons that are beyond the scope of a hockey forum. That's why Trademark's plan failed (they managed the property at the time and I haven't heard about them being in the mix since the city vote failed so who knows if they're still involved). But an arena? With some retail and apartments/townhome? That is likely the ticket. Did the city know about Anson or Krause at the time of the vote? Almost certainly not, but they were excellent stewards to not take the first proposal and run with it - they know this is prized real estate. Say what you will about north Fulton but they're no-nonsense, financially conservative. Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, all of 'em. They're examples of government done right. Not what is easiest or quickest but what is financially right for the tax base.

When this frenzy got kicked off almost a year ago, I thought North Point mall was gonna be the spot. That was supposed to be the site of the second NHL franchise before Turner got that WCW money and decided he wanted an NHL team.

Time will tell, and a lot of details need to be revealed, but if New York Life/Anson presents an arena to Alpharetta, Alpharetta is going to say yes, but that is ultimately going to be contingent on A LOT of things associated with The Gathering. Otherwise, they're going to end up with the same boat anchor they have on hand currently.

My novel aside, we have to be ahead of SLC at this point. Two groups, two sites and the real estate is owned by both and both, seemingly, are ready to build right now. If the NHL is expanding, Atlanta has to be at the top of the list.

 

[dj4aces]

My novel aside, we have to be ahead of SLC at this point. Two groups, two sites and the real estate is owned by both and both, seemingly, are ready to build right now. If the NHL is expanding, Atlanta has to be at the top of the list.

At the end of the day... that's ultimately what matters. There's multiple groups with multiple plans interested in making it work here. Ultimately, I trust the NHL BoG would make the right decision, because it seems like both groups have been in contact with the league for some time now at least, and thus the league has had some time to do some vetting of the different groups.

I don't have a dog in this race, all I'm interested in is seeing the NHL return. This time, for good.

 

[Major4Boarding]

So is Krause the developer-in-name only, or did he formally say he is also the ownership front as well? I just assumed it was both all this time. It’ll go a long way knowing… now that NPM is back on the menu

 

[dj4aces]

So is Krause the developer-in-name only, or did he formally say he is also the ownership front as well? I just assumed it was both all this time. It’ll go a long way knowing… now that NPM is back on the menu

Krause is both developer and prospective owner, yes. Krause also owns the land in Forsyth County where he would build his facility.

Carter and his group are completely separate from Krause, with an eye on the North Point Mall location. I think this is why so many redevlopments of the site had been turned down previously, because the city knew Carter and his group is interested.

Who wins out is really anyone's guess.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

Krause is both developer and prospective owner, yes. Krause also owns the land in Forsyth County where he would build his facility.

Carter and his group are completely separate from Krause, with an eye on the North Point Mall location. I think this is why so many redevlopments of the site had been turned down previously, because the city knew Carter and his group is interested.

Who wins out is really anyone's guess.

Probably not Carter's group.

Although I don't know too much about Carter's portfolio so who knows. Usually any bids by former players don't win. Whether its expansion or buying a team.

 

[GreenHornet]

Ultimately, I trust the NHL BoG would make the right decision, because it seems like both groups have been in contact with the league for some time now at least, and thus the league has had some time to do some vetting of the different groups.

I don't have a dog in this race, all I'm interested in is seeing the NHL return. This time, for good.

As to the first point, I'd like to think they've learned their lesson from the Atlanta $pirit Septocluster™ fiasco, but who knows. Hopefully, we'll be able to find out.

As to the second, I'm down with ya.

 

[GreenHornet]

Bill Daly's non-denial denial.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

I see this news as both good and bad (mostly good). Most of which has been mentioned.

Bad: Competing ownership groups could definitely give a bad look. Especially if they end up trying to trash-talk one another. Would be great if they end up trying to help each other with the goal of bringing the NHL to Atlanta no matter what, but it doesn't look like we're headed in that direction.

Side note: About 14 years of no NHL/Atlanta news and all the sudden TWO ownership groups emerge...Really?!

Good: Having multiple groups showing interest and cash will help force the NHL to make a decision sooner rather than later. With loans hinging on an arena/team anchor, the NHL can't drag its feet forever.

One thing that I find really interesting is that BOTH groups have apparently met with Bettman and the NHL. Makes me wonder what was said in terms of picking the winning group. I also hope Bettman gave these guys a warning about being competitive against each other.

 

[dj4aces]

You know, I've been thinking a bit more about the state of the market and what we've learned over the past year.

We learned of the Forsyth group in March of last year, but the only press they really got -- with the eventual reveal that the group is indeed led by Krause -- was from local sources.

However, yesterday's announcement spurred responses and articles from the larger world of hockey media. Pagnotta's tweet specifically says he had been talking of Carter's group the whole time. Wysh penned an article on it. The Hockey News' Adam Proteau penned an article (well... more of an opinion piece, but still) as well. None of this was really seen in the year prior, other than a couple brief mentions on 32 Thoughts of Atlanta being interested whenever expansion talk came up on the podcast. An interview they did with Evander Kane some months back showed, if nothing else, that players are interested in returning to the market. But no one has mentioned Krause or his group outside the Atlanta metro area.

So, a few questions come to mind:
* Does the hockey world see the Krause venture as not serious?
* Is Carter only getting attention because he's a former player?
* Were the media waiting on more than one group to say something before taking the idea seriously?
* What does the larger hockey world know about the two groups, exactly?

You know, just a thought.

 

[sneakytitz]

Side note: About 14 years of no NHL/Atlanta news and all the sudden TWO ownership groups emerge...Really?!

The Atlanta United effect!

 

[sneakytitz]

You know, I've been thinking a bit more about the state of the market and what we've learned over the past year.

We learned of the Forsyth group in March of last year, but the only press they really got -- with the eventual reveal that the group is indeed led by Krause -- was from local sources.

However, yesterday's announcement spurred responses and articles from the larger world of hockey media. Pagnotta's tweet specifically says he had been talking of Carter's group the whole time. Wysh penned an article on it. The Hockey News' Adam Proteau penned an article (well... more of an opinion piece, but still) as well. None of this was really seen in the year prior, other than a couple brief mentions on 32 Thoughts of Atlanta being interested whenever expansion talk came up on the podcast. An interview they did with Evander Kane some months back showed, if nothing else, that players are interested in returning to the market. But no one has mentioned Krause or his group outside the Atlanta metro area.

So, a few questions come to mind:
* Does the hockey world see the Krause venture as not serious?
* Is Carter only getting attention because he's a former player?
* Were the media waiting on more than one group to say something before taking the idea seriously?
* What does the larger hockey world know about the two groups, exactly?

You know, just a thought.

I get the feeling, based on Anson's comments a year ago, that his goal was always to bring an NHL team to Atlanta. His comments when he bought the Gladiators were basically, "I want to grow hockey around the state from the ground up". He was playing the long game re: an NHL team, e.g. let me build this ECHL team, let me work with colleges and other teams/leagues in the state to make hockey a bigger thing, let me line up the right people to work with, and then we can make a play for an expansion team.

And then Krause shows up, not with just a group and intention, but the land and detailed plans for the project and he reveals it all at once. This screws up Anson's timeline/goal and he has to put a rush on things. 1 year is plenty of time to find other investors, get the owners of a dying property on board, form a company, and make an announcement.

 

[dj4aces]

I get the feeling, based on Anson's comments a year ago, that his goal was always to bring an NHL team to Atlanta. His comments when he bought the Gladiators were basically, "I want to grow hockey around the state from the ground up". He was playing the long game re: an NHL team, e.g. let me build this ECHL team, let me work with colleges and other teams/leagues in the state to make hockey a bigger thing, let me line up the right people to work with, and then we can make a play for an expansion team.

And then Krause shows up, not with just a group and intention, but the land and detailed plans for the project and he reveals it all at once. This screws up Anson's timeline/goal and he has to put a rush on things. 1 year is plenty of time to find other investors, get the owners of a dying property on board, form a company, and make an announcement.

He posted this as a follow-up to a response from the NotThrashers account on Twitter in 2023. I think people are reading a little farther into that comment. To be fair, he didn't do a good job of providing context for it, but maybe it's a little more illuminating this way.



So with that in mind, it appears to me the unveiling of The Gathering renderings and plans *on that particular day* is what hit Anson the wrong way, not that he felt one-upped by Krause.

 

[sneakytitz]

Well I mean his comments about growing hockey in Georgia, not about the Krause announcement.