Gary Bettman gets frustrated after getting asked an expansion question
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gives an angry, frustrated response when asked about the impending NHL expansion.
Last week, NHL insiders Andy Strickland and Kevin Weekes reported that NHL owners are meeting to officially approve a new expansion period. This could grow the league from 32 teams to 34, or even 36. Strickland also mentioned that Houston, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, are frontrunners for these new teams.
Strickland's report raised some eyebrows, especially regarding Atlanta. Many fans are asking why the NHL would give Atlanta a third chance, considering that both previous teams in the city failed and were relocated to Canada. The Atlanta Flames lasted just eight seasons before moving to Calgary, where they've thrived. The Atlanta Thrashers were also unsuccessful, moving to Winnipeg after 11 seasons. Given this history, some are wondering why the NHL would try again in Atlanta instead of considering Quebec City, where previous teams have found success.
Houston, on the other hand, seems more promising. While its hockey culture isn't widely known, Houston has a large population and strong sports culture, with teams like the Astros (MLB), Texans (NFL), Rockets (NBA), and Dynamo FC (MLS). If the city gets a team, it's expected that Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta would lead the charge, with games played at the Toyota Center in downtown Houston.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was recently in Toronto promoting the league's upcoming Amazon Prime series when he was asked about expansion. Reporters noted that Bettman seemed irritated by the question, which many took as a sign that expansion is likely coming soon. Bettman's denials often hint at things being in the works, so don't be surprised if new teams are announced within the next year.
Many still wonder why Atlanta is being considered again, given its history. In contrast, Quebec City has been waiting for an NHL team since the Videotron Centre, a state-of-the-art 18,000+ seat arena, opened in 2015. Despite this, the NHL seems to prioritize markets with strong corporate backing, and Quebec City doesn't seem to be on their radar until they land a major corporate presence.
While recent expansions to Las Vegas and Seattle have been huge successes, there are concerns that the NHL might overlook the struggles faced by teams in Arizona, Florida, and Columbus. Expansion is never a guaranteed success, and hopefully, the league will proceed with caution.
| POLL | ||
23 SEPTEMBRE | 98 ANSWERS Gary Bettman gets frustrated after getting asked an expansion question Do you think the NHL will expand to 36 teams in the near future? | ||
| It will remain at 32 | 17 | 17.3 % |
| 34 teams by 2030-2035 | 41 | 41.8 % |
| 36 teams by 2035 | 24 | 24.5 % |
| Not sure | 16 | 16.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
