Could New Orleans land an NHL expansion team?
NHL reporter Kevin Weekes reports, per a conversation he had with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, that a group interested in bringing an expansion team to New Orleans, recently met in New York City with league executives.
👀 In speaking to Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and other sources involved,I can confirm that there was a recent meeting in NYC with a group expressing their interest in bringing an @NHL expansion team to New Orleans. #HockeyX #NewOrleans pic.twitter.com/fAhYY5cbDH
New Orleans played host to minor league hockey from 1997-2002 when the New Orleans Brass called the city home. The Brass originally played in the Municipal Auditorium and then in the New Orleans Arena (now Smoothie King Center).
Talk of NHL expansion started last summer when businessman Nic Perkin discussed the topic at a press conference while announcing minor league hockey was returning to Monroe.
“If Las Vegas can stand up a championship hockey team in the middle of desert, New Orleans can stand up one in the middle of the bayou.” Perkin said.
"If Las Vegas can stand up a championship hockey team in the middle of desert, New Orleans can stand up one in the middle of the bayou." New Mocs owner Nic Perkin has big @NHL dreams for the big Easy. @garlandgillen @JeffDuncan_ Perkin will join us Thur. at 7:15 @MorningDrive318 pic.twitter.com/EzqqbhiOQh
According to a report from The Illuminator, in response Perkin’s comments, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said, “I think New Orleans is one of those cities that is poised to be the place where sports happens.”
He added, “We would talk to the NHL. We would talk to anybody that wants to bring anything there.”
“Certainly, if there’s an appetite for them to come to New Orleans, we’re interested in having one,” the governor said.
New Orleans is host to NFL and NBA teams with the Saints and Pelicans.
Until Weekes report, NHL expansion rumors had been focused on Atlanta, Houston, and Quebec City.
New Orleans just hosted one of the most successful Super Bowl games ever for the NFL and is reportedly in line to host WWE Wrestlemania for a third time.
WrestleMania 42 being held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA will be announced before this year’s annual event.
The location has been locked in for months.
(via @WrestleVotes Radio – Backstage Pass) pic.twitter.com/cZKFwCvzxR
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