NHL Evaluates Expansion in Atlanta: Key Details
The NHL requires a “fully detailed plan” from any ownership group interested in establishing an expansion team in Atlanta, according to Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. Daly revealed that the NHL met in July with several groups seeking to make Atlanta the league’s 33rd team. However, these conversations have not yet progressed enough to present a formal proposal. One of the interested groups is Krause Sports and Entertainment. In addition, Forsyth County has approved plans for a $3 billion development called The Gathering at South Forsyth, which includes a stadium with NHL capacity. There is also a competing proposal from the Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group, which seeks to develop the North Point Mall site in Alpharetta, about 30 minutes from where the Thrashers played.Daly clarified that the NHL does not need the construction of the stadiums to begin to consider expansion in Atlanta. The crucial thing is to have a detailed and viable plan. The NHL has previously tried to establish hockey in Atlanta without success, with the Flames moving to Calgary in 1980 and the Thrashers relocating to Winnipeg in 2011. Daly has mentioned that the city’s demographic and business changes, along with the proposed locations for a new stadium, could help the NHL overcome the challenges it faced in the past. In June, the NHL indicated that it has not initiated a formal expansion process, but is listening to expressions of interest from potential owners and cities. Atlanta and Houston have received the most attention. The league feels “uniquely positioned” for further expansion due to its broad player base. The NHL has gone from 30 to 32 teams with the addition of Vegas and Seattle. The expansion fee was $500 million for Vegas and $650 million for Seattle. The last full property sale in the NHL was when Michael Andlauer bought the Ottawa Senators in June 2023 for $950 million.We need a plan that is a little more viable than what we currently have.
Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner of the NHL
