NHL agent believes 2 new expansion teams are coming in the near future
Photo credit: Sportsnet
Today a new post from an NHL agent has the hockey world buzzing at the possibility of 2 new expansion teams in the near future.
The NHL has been rapidly expanding and changing over the last decade compared to the other major sports leagues. The addition of the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken as expansion teams has fans craving more additions.
Today comments from NHL agent Allan Walsh have revealed that he believes more expansion is on the way for the NHL.
The NHL is going to expand, said Walsh on his podcast. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when, two more teams. The NHL will go to 34 teams.
He not only is convinced teams will be added to the NHL but that the value of existing franchises will skyrocket. This will lead business owners to see the NHL as a good investment to purchase a franchise into.
I'm telling you right now, you can write it down, in the next three years NHL franchise values will double, said Walsh.
Not only will the future expansion of the NHL be favorable for the fans but Allan Walsh believes the NHL and its owners will receive a major payday once the additions are made.
When it does those two expansion teams, I predict the franchise fee will be $1.5 billion, said Walsh. That's more than double what Seattle was.
With this news from Allan Walsh, speculation can begin regarding where new expansion teams could call home in the future.
Where should the NHL expand to next?
Looking at possible homes for NHL expansion the first place to go is backwards. In recent years rumors of places like Atlanta, Quebec City, and even Arizona have been linked to expansion franchises.
With the NHL wanting to expand in the near future going to markets that are familiar could be helpful if they have the proper support and infrastructure. Beyond previous NHL homes, other cities like Houston, Kansas City, and Portland have been suggested throughout the past couple of seasons.
Regardless of where the NHL chooses it seems that Gary Bettman is determined to keep the sport growing. For the NHL this means going to new markets and developing fan bases that will support local teams.
As more information comes out regarding potential expansion in the NHL we will continue to follow this situation.
Source: Hockey FeedTwo more expansion teams are coming to the NHL.
| POLL | ||
2 SEPTEMBRE | 162 ANSWERS NHL agent believes 2 new expansion teams are coming in the near future Where do you want the NHL to expand to next? | ||
| Arizona | 4 | 2.5 % |
| Quebec City | 119 | 73.5 % |
| Houston | 35 | 21.6 % |
| Atlanta | 4 | 2.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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