Will Atlanta Get Another Team?

[Mightygoose]

In the light of another Atlanta thread, this one for bumped because??

Lock it up, NHL not going back there for the foreseeable future

 

[BKIslandersFan]

The NHL would need another Western Conference team to add another East.

I still can't believe that there isn't a pro hockey team in WI

Where are they gonna put it. Milwaukee is too close to Chicago and is too small to have 3 major league teams.

You could argue 4, with Packers.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

In the light of another Atlanta thread, this one for bumped because??

Lock it up, NHL not going back there for the foreseeable future

No one is saying atlanta will get a team tomorrow. relax.

 

[Big Z Man 1990]

All I know about expanding in the West is that the next two Western teams should both be put in the Central based on location. Arizona is closer to three of the Pacific teams than they they are to the closest Central team, Colorado. I'm sure the NHL years from now will realize this and do everything they can to put Arizona back into the Pacific.

 

[aqib]

Expansion wouldn’t be happening any time soon, give another 15-20 years especially since it might take years for economy to recover from the pandemic. Who knows where the divisions and markets will be at that point honestly.

I wonder if the NHL would use expansion to make up for Covid losses. The NBA was pretty deadset against expanding but now they are talking about it.

 

[DaBadGuy7]

I wonder if the NHL would use expansion to make up for Covid losses. The NBA was pretty deadset against expanding but now they are talking about it.

Probably not, doubt there will many people that pony up 600 million for an expansion team at the moment. Besides, I think NHL is ok with 32 teams and there still teams that need to settle arena issues before the thought of expansion comes up again.

 

[aqib]

Probably not, doubt there will many people that pony up 600 million for an expansion team at the moment. Besides, I think NHL is ok with 32 teams and there still teams that need to settle arena issues before the thought of expansion comes up again.

The NHL is always quick to grab expansion fees. The only teams I can think of with arena issues are Calgary with the cost overrun issue and AZ. Carolina just signed an extension. Florida has an out in 2 years but I've declared that franchise dead so many times and its still here

 

[DaBadGuy7]

The NHL is always quick to grab expansion fees. The only teams I can think of with arena issues are Calgary with the cost overrun issue and AZ. Carolina just signed an extension. Florida has an out in 2 years but I've declared that franchise dead so many times and its still here

Besides QC, there aren’t markets that have expressed a desire to get an expansion franchise coupled with the pandemic, don’t see it happening. Besides NHL is now getting to 32, I’m sure they want to settle in with seasons with that number. Ottawa is the other team with an arena issue that needs to settled soon btw.

 

[Bucky_Hoyt]

I imagine the NHL will stay at 32 and we'll just see relocations. Eventually those relocation fees will eclipse what cities are currently paying for expansion fees with inflation and scarcity.

Imagine the leverage the league will have when a market wants to enter the exclusive NHL club. Or, when an owner wants to move their team to a new location. Probably hit the billion mark in no time.

 

[aqib]

Besides QC, there aren’t markets that have expressed a desire to get an expansion franchise coupled with the pandemic, don’t see it happening. Besides NHL is now getting to 32, I’m sure they want to settle in with seasons with that number. Ottawa is the other team with an arena issue that needs to settled soon btw.

I forgot about Ottawa. There are always markets that want in and I just have a feeling that it would be quick way for the league to re-coop losses. Its well documented how the NHL is more gate-driven than the other 3 major league sports (I know people consider MLS a major league but I don't pay attention to it so can't comment on their business model) so they have taken more losses. If the NBA is considering expansion I would think the NHL is

 

[garbageteam]

I forgot about Ottawa. There are always markets that want in and I just have a feeling that it would be quick way for the league to re-coop losses. Its well documented how the NHL is more gate-driven than the other 3 major league sports (I know people consider MLS a major league but I don't pay attention to it so can't comment on their business model) so they have taken more losses. If the NBA is considering expansion I would think the NHL is

That's because the NBA is now trying to play catch-up really. NFL and NHL are at 32, MLB has expressed intentions to 32 and even the poor little cousin MLS has rumblings of going to 32. NBA has so much growth in its trajectory it would be shooting itself in the face not to hit 32 along with the others. No one's shown an inkling to move beyond 32 though.

 

[aqib]

That's because the NBA is now trying to play catch-up really. NFL and NHL are at 32, MLB has expressed intentions to 32 and even the poor little cousin MLS has rumblings of going to 32. NBA has so much growth in its trajectory it would be shooting itself in the face not to hit 32 along with the others. No one's shown an inkling to move beyond 32 though.

The NHL is the only of the leagues that works in smaller Canadian markets. You couldn't have an MLB or NBA team in Winnipeg. So there are more markets for the NHL to go to.

 

[StreetHawk]

The NHL is the only of the leagues that works in smaller Canadian markets. You couldn't have an MLB or NBA team in Winnipeg. So there are more markets for the NHL to go to.

But, there are only so many markets that can support multiple of the big 4 leagues. Utah, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, for example would be hard pressed to support NBA/NHL. Portland listed as a potential for MLB expansion, which would make more sense as it would then give Portland pro sports all year round since MLB runs April - Sept while NBA runs Nov-May for regular season. Milwaukee has MLB and NBA, with NFL a drive away on weekends.

And some of the NBA new arenas are not built for NHL hockey. Chase Center in SF for the Warriors, after SJ Sharks declined to join them, the arena is now like Barclays, which isn't configured for NHL 18K hockey capacity. See that with other arenas that can host 13K for figure skating and Disney on ice, and AHL sized crowds, but not the required 18K for the NHL.

 

[AintLifeGrand]

move the yotes or sens to Atlanta

 

[CanadianCoyote]

move the yotes or sens to Atlanta

Yotes - Sports gambling just legalized in AZ and not yet legal in GA, ownership focused on local options (I would expect them to be heavily pursuing an arena in either Scottsdale or Tempe), NHL would rather a team there than not; not happening.

Sens - Market isn't the problem, ownership is. Canadian team, which means that the Canadian TV deal gets hurt when that comes up for renegotiation. Owners interested in buying the team and keeping them in the region. NHL would rather not move them, either. Not happening unless Euge decides to pull an Atlanta Spirit.

Besides, why relocate when you can expand? Most sports leagues prefer expansion to relocation if they can help it, because more teams means more deals which means more money. MLB is looking to expand, the NBA is looking to expand. Why should the NHL relocate instead of following that lead?

 

[oknazevad]

I don't foresee expansion. The NHL is leading that, going to 32 teams before the NBA or MLB, not following their lead there.

 

[Melrose Munch]

Yotes - Sports gambling just legalized in AZ and not yet legal in GA, ownership focused on local options (I would expect them to be heavily pursuing an arena in either Scottsdale or Tempe), NHL would rather a team there than not; not happening.

Sens - Market isn't the problem, ownership is. Canadian team, which means that the Canadian TV deal gets hurt when that comes up for renegotiation. Owners interested in buying the team and keeping them in the region. NHL would rather not move them, either. Not happening unless Euge decides to pull an Atlanta Spirit.

Besides, why relocate when you can expand? Most sports leagues prefer expansion to relocation if they can help it, because more teams means more deals which means more money. MLB is looking to expand, the NBA is looking to expand. Why should the NHL relocate instead of following that lead?

I would counter they need cities for relocation just in case of collapse. If the NHL is first to 34, it makes it harder to relocate when necessary.

I think the NHL is afraid of losing the southwest to the MLS by moving the coyotes. They won't get back in if the coyotes leave and Phoenix MLS takes over.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I would counter they need cities for relocation just in case of collapse. If the NHL is first to 34, it makes it harder to relocate when necessary.

At a minimum, they need a city willing to play the useful idiot.

 

[saskriders]

Yotes - Sports gambling just legalized in AZ and not yet legal in GA, ownership focused on local options (I would expect them to be heavily pursuing an arena in either Scottsdale or Tempe), NHL would rather a team there than not; not happening.

Sens - Market isn't the problem, ownership is. Canadian team, which means that the Canadian TV deal gets hurt when that comes up for renegotiation. Owners interested in buying the team and keeping them in the region. NHL would rather not move them, either. Not happening unless Euge decides to pull an Atlanta Spirit.

Besides, why relocate when you can expand? Most sports leagues prefer expansion to relocation if they can help it, because more teams means more deals which means more money. MLB is looking to expand, the NBA is looking to expand. Why should the NHL relocate instead of following that lead?

I used to want a bunch of southern teams relocated, but now am against relocation. I wish people that suggested for a team to be relocated had to listen to people suggesting that their team gets relocated.

I don't expect expansion in the short term, but I'd love to see a big wave over the next 20-30 years. I'd love to see 40 or even 44 teams eventually.

 

[theicebox]

This could be an easy way for Québec City to get a team.

Create a new team in Atlanta, and then within five years it will move to Québec City.

 

[Barclay Donaldson]

move the yotes or sens to Atlanta

Move a team that has been top 5 in league attendance multiple times over the last 15 years? And one that is only seeing a dip because of poor public relations with the owner, poor on ice performance, and not too serious arena trouble? Send me whatever drugs you are taking and I’ll send you some rationality and logic.

 

[canuckfan75]

Liberty Media would have to be involved

 

[tarheelhockey]

Move a team that has been top 5 in league attendance multiple times over the last 15 years? And one that is only seeing a dip because of poor public relations with the owner, poor on ice performance, and not too serious arena trouble? Send me whatever drugs you are taking and I’ll send you some rationality and logic.

To be fair, that describes the original Charlotte Hornets who did indeed relocate.

 

[GreenHornet]

Liberty Media would have to be involved

Based on how they've run the Braves (their recent on-field success notwithstanding), my reaction is this.

 

[TheLegend]

To be fair, that describes the original Charlotte Hornets who did indeed relocate.

Add Seattle Super Sonics to that list.