NHL open to another expansion franchise in Atlanta (North Atlanta, Alpharetta: 2014, lease)

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by testa50

As we discussed in the other thread, Atlanta United flipped the script on expansion teams. It's not so much about the tangible attributes of the fanbase as it is about the ability to generate a brand and fan experience that attracts people to the games.

In the early 2010s, the narrative was that Atlanta is an innately bad sports city, and our one storied franchise (the Braves) was middling in fan support; the rest were on the lower end.

The new Braves stadium propelled the team into the top-tier of fan support, and Atlanta United (which many people doubted could ever catch on--"Atlanta's just not a soccer city") is evergreen top-end of the league in fan support, even seasons when we're mediocre on the field.

NHL can survive. But it needs the right ownership and strategy.

Dead on.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by aries4118

1. People keep forgetting that the thrashers not staying was due to internal business squabbles, not because of support of the team.

2. I think the NHL venue for Atlanta should be located at perimeter center.

Originally Posted by primaltech

Dude, put it downtown. The State Farm arena. Make Downtown Great Again.

I wish Atlanta would turn the CNN Center into the regional train passenger terminal, and build the whole gulch up with skyscrapers, and the Falcons/United/Hawks/NHL team all connected to that and MARTA. And extend the MARTA green line to the Battery in Cumberland so that the Braves are connected as well.

And all that connected with the airport. I mean, Atlanta, get the infrastructure, and embrace and love your downtown! Forsyth County is a boring pile of suck. And it's way out of the way for a lot of people.

I agree with you. Downtown would be the best choice.

I am suggesting Perimeter Center as well because it is the best "compromise" option considering other forces at play. Alpharetta, South Forsyth, or Duluth/Gwinnett Place all would not be good options.


If not Downtown, I think the Lindbergh Center Area in South Buckhead or Atlantic Station in Midtown would be good choices.


So, for an NHL venue in Atlanta, the best options - in rank order:

1. Downtown
2. Atlantic Station or Lindbergh Center
3. Perimeter Center

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by testa50

As we discussed in the other thread, Atlanta United flipped the script on expansion teams. It's not so much about the tangible attributes of the fanbase as it is about the ability to generate a brand and fan experience that attracts people to the games.

In the early 2010s, the narrative was that Atlanta is an innately bad sports city, and our one storied franchise (the Braves) was middling in fan support; the rest were on the lower end.

The new Braves stadium propelled the team into the top-tier of fan support, and Atlanta United (which many people doubted could ever catch on--"Atlanta's just not a soccer city") is evergreen top-end of the league in fan support, even seasons when we're mediocre on the field.

NHL can survive. But it needs the right ownership and strategy.

Yes, spot on. Great, smart post.

[aries4118]

For Fun:

What would be a good name for the NHL Franchise in Atlanta?
Personally, I like Thrashers - or another bird name.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by aries4118

For Fun:

What would be a good name for the NHL Franchise in Atlanta?
Personally, I like Thrashers - or another bird name.

How about Andre's Armada? Or Dickens' Diablos?

[primaltech]

Originally Posted by aries4118

I agree with you. Downtown would be the best choice.

I am suggesting Perimeter Center as well because it is the best "compromise" option considering other forces at play. Alpharetta, South Forsyth, or Duluth/Gwinnett Place all would not be good options.


If not Downtown, I think the Lindbergh Center Area in South Buckhead or Atlantic Station in Midtown would be good choices.


So, for an NHL venue in Atlanta, the best options - in rank order:

1. Downtown
2. Atlantic Station or Lindbergh Center
3. Perimeter Center

Besides the central location and transit access, I would think the huge advantage to Downtown would be the fact that the arena already exists? And it already even hosted an NHL team, not that long ago? You don't have to build anything or cost the taxpayers.

[Bitey]

"We've already lost two NHL franchises, let's see if we can lose a third!"

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by primaltech

Besides the central location and transit access, I would think the huge advantage to Downtown would be the fact that the arena already exists? And it already even hosted an NHL team, not that long ago? You don't have to build anything or cost the taxpayers.

Yep. Tru dat.

[Boothwynman]

Originally Posted by aries4118

1. People keep forgetting that the thrashers not staying was due to internal business squabbles, not because of support of the team.

How did Atlanta lose the Flames before that?

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Boothwynman

How did Atlanta lose the Flames before that?

When they moved, I was a young post-toddler padawan that I had just moved to East Cobb in the months prior, along with recovering from an operation in the few months after our move—so I’m not exactly sure.

But you can always read here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlant...es?wprov=sfti1