Two groups are “known to have reached out” to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to express their desire for an expansion franchise in Atlanta, or its northern suburbs, but Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that “actually more that have had the league’s ear,” according to Ken Sugiura of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Daly “declined to offer more specifics” on the number of additional parties or what their plans are. Sugiura noted Falcons owner Arthur Blank “is not part of any NHL expansion group.” The competition “only confirms what the NHL recognizes” -- that while the possibility of the league awarding an expansion franchise to Atlanta for a third time “may induce some eye rolling among NHL pooh-bahs, the metropolitan area is more than capable of fielding a viable operation.” No one would seek a franchise “without confidence it can work, particularly given the cost involved.” And there are “at least three groups” in metro Atlanta that believe strongly enough in the market that they are “evidently willing to fork over perhaps a billion dollars to the NHL just to obtain a franchise.” That is a “language that any business can understand.” Sugiura noted even if the NHL “does decide to expand,” there is “no guarantee that league owners would choose Atlanta and any of its competing bids.” Houston is among several cities that have expressed interest, a bid that “arguably is stronger.” Daly said that Atlanta’s two failed attempts “won’t disqualify any current bidders,” but surely the league will “want to have every confidence that a third try would be in the right hands” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/16).
OTHER PLANS: In Houston, Chandler France noted Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta “has been vocal” about his intentions to bring an NHL franchise to Houston. In a statement, Fertitta said that he was “unable to bid” for the Coyotes organization as "the NHL views Houston as expansion target, removing the ability for us to purchase and relocate an existing team." Fertitta touted Toyota Center, the Rockets' downtown arena, as an “ideal location for a potential team,” adding that Houston has a “passionate and loyal hockey fan base.” Fertitta has “certainly made his intentions to own an NHL team known.” In February, Fertitta said that conversations with the league “had intensified” and that he “viewed professional hockey as a way to revitalize downtown Houston.” He followed up those comments by telling CNBC on April 10, “We would like to work to get an NHL team in Houston -- I’m working on it” (HOUSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/15).
