NHL expansion: Why Atlanta could make waves by landing third NHL team in city's history

Earlier this week, we began by looking at Houston, a city that stands as a front-runner for expansion. Then we turned to Phoenix, Arizona, another leading contender. Now, our attention shifts to Atlanta, Georgia - a city that has seen not one, but two nhl franchises come and go.

Population Stats
Atlanta proper: 498,715 (2020 census)
Greater Atlanta Area: 6,144,050

Atlanta's greater metro area now ranks as the sixth-largest in the U.S., supporting major sports franchises like the NBA's Hawks, MLB's Braves, and the NFL's Falcons.

TV Market
According to ustvdb.com, Atlanta boasts the sixth-largest media market in the country, with a massive 2,679,850 television households.

Arena Situation
Atlanta's former NHL home, State Farm Arena, hosted the Thrashers from 1999 until their departure in 2011. However, extensive renovations have since rendered the venue unsuitable for nhl play. The good news? There are now two distinct ownership groups with ambitions to build a new nhl-ready arena in the atlanta area.

One group is targeting South Forsyth with a proposed $2-billion entertainment complex, including an 18,500-seat arena. Meanwhile, another group led by former NHL star has its eyes on Alpharetta, where they plan to build a rink designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry as part of a shopping mall redevelopment.

Both proposals promise to deliver the infrastructure and attention the NHL demands for expansion. While it's unclear if public funding will be involved, securing a new arena is critical to Atlanta's hopes of landing another nhl franchise - and these groups are eager to make it happen.

Hockey History
Atlanta's hockey history is infamous, having lost two NHL teams - the Flames in 1980 and the Thrashers in 2011. Both relocations were driven by poor attendance and lackluster performance on the ice. Since then, the city has hosted the ECHL's Atlanta Gladiators, but their 13,100-seat arena doesn't meet nhl standards.

Atlanta is the only city to have lost two nhl teams, and the possibility of a third team failing would be a major embarrassment for both the city and the league. Yet, the enthusiasm from two potential ownership groups signals a renewed desire to bring the nhl back. The league would likely demand strong guarantees to prevent a third failure, but if either Carter's group or the Forsyth group can meet the nhl's requirements, Atlanta's chances of landing an expansion franchise will significantly improve.

Why Atlanta Deserves Consideration
While traditional hockey markets like Quebec City might balk at the idea of Atlanta getting a third chance, the city's passionate ownership groups have put it squarely on the nhl's radar. Expanding the league's presence in the southern U.S. aligns with Commissioner long-term vision, and Atlanta's potential as a sports-crazed market is hard to ignore.

If the NHL does expand to 34 teams, Atlanta would slot naturally into the Eastern Conference, balancing out the league with Houston likely heading to the West. This move would support the NHL and NHLPA's desire for conference parity. Plus, establishing an NHL presence in Atlanta could help grow the sport in the South, even if the city isn't known for being hockey-centric. With these factors in mind, Atlanta is a serious contender for expansion.