Atlanta group eyeing NHL expansion team has arena deal approved 8475c

The Forsyth County Commission approved agreements for a $3-billion project that includes construction of an NHL-ready arena. 1258o

The vote Wednesday clears a major hurdle for the CEO of Krause Sports and Entertainment, Vernon Krause, who is eyeing an NHL expansion franchise in the Atlanta area.

"This vote marks a pivotal moment," Krause said, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. "We can go to (NHL commissioner Gary Bettman) and ask him to start a process (for expansion), which we're hopeful he will do."

The NHL has had two franchises in Atlanta, and both relocated. The Thrashers ed the league in 1999 and played in Atlanta for 11 seasons before becoming the Winnipeg Jets. Atlanta also had the Flames from 1972-80 before moving to Calgary. Atlanta is the only city in the NHL's modern history to have two teams relocate to different locations.

"We’re closer than we’ve ever been to bringing NHL hockey back to our region," Krause said, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

Krause already owns the land where the project would be constructed. Forsyth County is a little more than 40 miles outside of Atlanta. Krause confirmed the project will be built only if Atlanta is awarded an expansion franchise, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

Bettman has said he doesn't believe past failures in Atlanta reflect on the league's future decision regarding a third expansion team in the city.

"It's a different place than when the Flames and the Thrashers left, in of how big the city is, how robust it is, the sporting interest," Bettman said in May, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "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 to be put together."

The NHL has expanded twice in recent history. The Vegas Golden Knights were added in 2017, and the Seattle Kraken ed the league in 2021. The Arizona Coyotes relocated to Utah before last season.

The league currently stands at 32 teams, which is tied with the NFL for the most among major professional North American leagues.