The Alpharetta Sports activities & Leisure Group, fronted by former NHL participant Anson Carter, has formally requested that the NHL begin with an enlargement course of geared toward bringing a franchise to the larger Atlanta space for a 3rd time.
Atlanta was beforehand residence to the Flames (1972-1980), who relocated to Calgary, and the Thrashers (1999-2011), who moved to Winnipeg.
The announcement, printed on Tuesday by Sportsnet, states that the group is searching for an NHL group for a brand new area designed by architect Frank Gehry that shall be half of a bigger improvement on the North Level Mall website in Alpharetta, situated round half-hour from the place the Thrashers used to play.
Editor’s Picks
“I’ve little question that the most effective league on this planet will thrive in its return to Metro Atlanta,” mentioned Carter, at present an analyst for TNT broadcast, in an announcement. “I’ve been in dialogue with NHL commissioner [Gary] Bettman since 2019 about an enlargement group returning to the Fulton County Metro Atlanta market, understanding that franchise choices are completely determined by the NHL Board of Governors.”
Among the many companions talked about within the announcement are Neil Leibman of Prime Tier Sports activities, Peter Simon of Simon Sports activities, Aaron Zeigler of Zeigler Automotive Group and New York Life Actual Property buyers, who’s a associate within the mixed-use land improvement.
In an announcement on Tuesday, NHL deputy commissioner Invoice Daly mentioned the league appreciated the passion from Carter’s group.
“The League appreciates Anson’s ardour for bringing NHL hockey again to the Atlanta space, and he has actually saved the topic on our radar display screen for a number of years operating,” Daly mentioned. “Whereas, as we’ve got made clear, we’ve got no enlargement oriented course of in place at present, it is all the time good to know there’s bona fide curiosity.”
Calls to Simon, Zeigler and Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin weren’t returned.
Carter is part proprietor of the ECHL Atlanta Gladiators hockey group. Carter beforehand tried to buy the Atlanta Hawks, Thrashers and their area in 2011 with a gaggle referred to as Atlanta Sports activities and Leisure, however they had been declined by Atlanta Spirit, which owned the groups.
There are different teams keen on bringing the NHL to Atlanta. Vernon Krause, a businessman who has proposed constructing an 18,000-seat area in a blended use improvement in Forsyth County, instructed WSB-TV that he met with Bettman in New York. Krause says he believes that if the NHL approves enlargement, a group might play in its area starting within the 2027-28 season.
Daly instructed ESPN final September that he was optimistic the third time might be the allure for Atlanta.
“I feel a few of the challenges that we have seen previously in Atlanta will be overcome,” he mentioned.
“I feel occasions have modified fairly dramatically and the market demographics have modified fairly dramatically for the reason that first time we went there after which once more in 1999,” he mentioned. “I feel numerous greater companies are in Atlanta 1710322154.”
Daly mentioned the placement of the rink shall be a key to the success of any potential Atlanta franchise. The Thrashers performed in what’s now generally known as State Farm Area, residence of the NBA’s Hawks, which is situated within the metropolis of Atlanta.
“I additionally assume that rink location shall be vital with any choice to find a franchise in Atlanta,” Daly mentioned. “I feel in case you use the Braves for example, they struggled, as I perceive it, attendance-wise for years, despite the fact that that they had a really profitable group on the sphere. Their newest stadium is in an ideal location and sells out repeatedly.”
Bettman has mentioned that increasing past 32 groups is not a precedence for the NHL. However cities proceed to point out curiosity in becoming a member of the league.
Utah Jazz proprietor Ryan Smith and The Smith Leisure Group introduced in January that it has formally requested the NHL to start out an enlargement course of for a possible Utah franchise.
“Now we have no formal enlargement course of arrange. We’re listening to the expressions of curiosity and I feel it is honest to say that the Utah expression of curiosity has been probably the most aggressive and has carried numerous power with it,” Bettman mentioned on the NHL All-Star Recreation final month.
Tilman Fertitta, proprietor of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, mentioned he is had discussions with the NHL about bringing a group there.
“We’re speaking to the NHL, nevertheless it’s acquired to be good for each of us,” Fertitta mentioned throughout an interview with Bloomberg Information final month.
