Third time’s a charm: Bettman discusses possible Atlanta expansion

SUNRISE, Fla. — Gary Bettman did nothing to quell belief that the National Hockey League is getting serious about expanding to Atlanta.

Third time’s a charm.

“It’s a different place than when the Flames and the Thrashers left, in terms of how big the city is, how robust it is, the sporting interest,” the commissioner said Friday evening at Florida’s Amerant Bank Arena.

“I don’t think the prior two visits have any bearing on whether or not we would go back — if all the other pieces that are referred to were put together.”

Those pieces: strong ownership, NHL-sized arena, robust market and a team that would enhance league revenue.

Vernon Krause is the man compiling those pieces and pushing to land the 33rd NHL team in Forsyth County, Georgia. Krause told 11 Alive News this week that his group is in the “homestretch” of presenting a “completed package” to Bettman.

Then the league could potentially vote on giving the green light to a new metro Atlanta hockey franchise.

“The next step is for us to go up to New York and meet with the commissioner of the NHL and show them what we have in place with the county in hopes that they vote for expansion,” Krause said.

“There’s certain criteria that we have to meet to even apply for an expansion franchise. And that was purchasing land, getting the zoning that we needed. Both of those have been accomplished. Once we got the county vote, getting definitive documents done, which our lawyers are working on, that we can present to the NHL, talking with our investors that we’ve been talking with over the last couple of years, being able to present what I would call a completed package to the NHL.”

A second potential ownership group, led by player-turned-analyst Anson Carter, is working on a competing plan for the NHL to return to the Atlanta area. Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group announced its vision last year for an expansion team.

Krause believes his bid is stronger, based on the location he has secured for a build.

“If other competitors have land, we don’t know about it at this point,” he said. “We think we’re in a good place.”

Krause said he is “very confident” his group will lure the NHL to Atlanta for a third time.

“We’re getting expressions of interest. We’ve talked to a couple of groups,” Bettman confirmed Friday. “There have been some civic leaders that have been in with people who are expressing an interest in owning a team and creating a facility.”

The NHL is not putting a timetable on expansion nor setting up a formal process for potential new owners to apply for a franchise.

“When somebody wants to make the case and come in and puts together all the pieces, we’ll listen to it,” Bettman said. “And if it makes sense, I’ll take it to the executive committee, and then the board.”

The league will not vote on expansion until a new collective bargaining agreement is in place.

Negotiations between Bettman and NHLPA chief Marty Walsh are ongoing.

“We’re talking, and we’re getting together on a pretty regular basis,” Bettman said. “The conversation is constructive. I think ultimately it will be productive. And I think in terms of the relationship that the NHL has with the NHLPA, my relationship with Marty Walsh is in a very good place, and so I remain very positive and optimistic that we’re going to come together.”

The current CBA does not expire until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

“But I don’t envision it taking a year to get done,” Bettman said. “To the contrary, I think it will get done sooner rather than later.”

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