Two cities emerge as possible expansion frontrunners for Gary Bettman and the NHL according to Allan Walsh

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Elias Adaime
September 8, 2024 (12:02)

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We just received an interesting statement regarding the next expansion teams in the National Hockey League.

We all know that player agent Allan Walsh doesn't hold back. He proved it once again in a recent episode of his podcast, Agent Provocateur.

For his first episode of the season, the controversial agent talked about the future of the league. In fact, he made a prediction on this topic, stating that the value of the league's teams will double within the next three years.

To achieve this, an expansion process will take place soon, bringing the league to 34 teams. According to Walsh, the price to enter this process will be quite staggering!

«It's not a question of 'If?', it's a question of 'When?' for the next NHL expansion process, and we will reach 34 teams. I predict that the price to pay for each of the two new franchises will be $1.5 billion for the franchise purchase, more than double what Seattle had to pay in 2021.»

- Allan Walsh

Interestingly, Walsh believes that the younger, new owners in the league will outshine the older ones and will lead the league with initiatives to grow the sport. These individuals are natural entrepreneurs, and it's in their blood. Thanks to them, the teams will increase in value quickly.

This is not reassuring for the city of Quebec, especially considering that the price of the last expansion was already very high (in U.S. dollars, I remind you).

Allan Walsh predicts the next two expansion teams for Gary Bettman: Quebec Nordiques ignored

To twist the knife further, Walsh named two American cities as top candidates for this expansion. These cities are Houston and Atlanta.

But that's not all. Despite the troubles of recent years in Arizona, the league has not yet given up on the idea of returning there. However, a new arena would need to be built, and a new owner would have to be interested in the project.

It's unclear whether Arizona will return through expansion or relocation, but it's evident that the league doesn't intend to stop at 34 teams. Would a league with 36 teams be viable? Financially yes, but from a sporting perspective, that remains to be seen...

Source: HABSolumentFan
Allan Walsh prédit les deux prochaines expansions de la LNH et le prix à payer pour acheter leur franchise