Despite two previous National Hockey League (NHL) failures in Atlanta, the idea of a return to Georgia seems serious enough, enough to encourage businessmen to make moves that could convince commissioner Gary Bettman.
Although he said Wednesday that the racetrack has not launched an expansion plan, some are active behind the scenes. Kevin Weekes, an informant for the NHL Network channel, reported that the state in question had approved the development project presented by the organizers. As the daily newspaper “Atlanta Journal-Constitution” announced in early September, Frank Ferrara wants to bring the NHL back to the city and is planning to build a huge entertainment complex (The Gathering) for $2 billion in the South Forsyth area.
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The construction of an arena with 18,000 seats, surrounded by hotels, restaurants, shops and apartments, is on the investor’s notebook. The financing plan for the project still needs to be clarified. In addition, Ferrara led Arizona State University’s campaign to fund Mullett Arena, the approximately 5,000-seat facility that currently serves as the home of the Arizona Coyotes.
Partly due to low attendance at home games, the NHL struggled in Atlanta, with two franchises forced to relocate. Founded in 1972, the Flames moved to Calgary in 1980, while the Thrashers played in the American city from 1999 to 2011 before becoming the Winnipeg Jets.