What is the story about?
What's Happening?
The NHL is considering expansion, and New Orleans has emerged as a potential location for a new team. Despite being a surprise contender, New Orleans has a population of over 1.2 million in the greater area and is home to the NFL's Saints and NBA's Pelicans. The city has a history with hockey, having hosted the ECHL's New Orleans Brass from 1997 to 2002. The Smoothie King Center, primarily used for basketball, has a capacity of 16,900 for hockey. However, New Orleans faces challenges such as a smaller TV market and competition with existing sports teams for broadcasting rights.
Why It's Important?
The potential expansion of the NHL to New Orleans highlights the league's interest in growing its presence in non-traditional hockey markets. If successful, this move could bring economic benefits to the city through increased tourism and job creation. However, the smaller market size and competition for media coverage present significant hurdles. The interest in New Orleans also reflects the NHL's broader strategy to capitalize on lucrative expansion fees and expand its footprint across North America.
What's Next?
The NHL will continue to evaluate New Orleans alongside other potential expansion cities like Houston and Atlanta. The league's decision will depend on factors such as market viability, arena readiness, and potential ownership groups. New Orleans' bid will need to address the challenges of media market size and competition with other sports teams to strengthen its case.
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