The cities of Atlanta and Salt Lake City are both vying to become hosts for potential National Hockey League expansion teams. An expression of interest for an expansion franchise in Atlanta has been officially presented by former professional player Anson Carter, along with the Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group. This group is aiming to bring hockey back to the area after two previous teams were relocated to different parts of Canada due to ownership challenges and a lack of fan support. If successful, the team would be based in Alpharetta, located around 26 miles north of Atlanta, and the proposal includes the construction of a new arena designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, as part of an extensive development encompassing various other amenities. Efforts have also received support from local political figures, indicating a strong push for the potential return of professional hockey to the region.
Meanwhile, Smith Entertainment Group, led by Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, has actively sought to initiate the expansion process in Salt Lake City, garnering the endorsement of the Utah Legislature. Multiple other cities, including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Houston, and Kansas City, have also expressed their interests in acquiring expansion teams, but the display of enthusiasm from Salt Lake City has been highlighted by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. However, Bettman also clarified that the league is not currently engaged in a formal expansion process, although various expressions of interest have been acknowledged.
In addition to the efforts in both Atlanta and Salt Lake City, there have also been discussions surrounding the Arizona Coyotes, who might be subject to relocation amid ongoing struggles with the team’s arena. Smith’s group has shown no indication of dismissing the possibility of acquiring the Coyotes and relocating them to Salt Lake City. Nevertheless, the NHL presently consists of 32 teams, and the recent entries of the Seattle Kraken and the Vegas Golden Knights as expansion teams highlight the significant investment required to establish a new franchise.
The potential for Atlanta to embrace a new NHL team has also been a topic of interest among various groups. Apart from Carter’s proposal, another businessman has proposed an 18,000-seat arena for an alternate project in Forsyth County, emphasizing a growing belief in the potential for success should the NHL choose to expand in the region. NHL Deputy Commissioner Daly has expressed optimism regarding the changing landscape of Atlanta’s market and the potential for the third attempt at establishing a team to be successful.
As the bid for NHL expansion teams in Atlanta and Salt Lake City gains momentum, the league continues to evaluate various proposals and expressions of interest from several cities. While there is no immediate expansion process in place, the resurgence of enthusiasm for the sport in these regions is a promising sign of potential growth and development in the NHL.