New Orleans emerges as potential NHL expansion city

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – New Orleans could soon be home to a third professional sports franchise, as a potential ownership group has expressed interest in bringing an NHL expansion team to the city, Per Kevin Weekes of ESPN.

Several other cities, including Atlanta and Houston, have also shown interest in NHL expansion. Both are already constructing new arenas in anticipation of securing a professional hockey team, even without a formal commitment from the league. Phoenix remains in contention for an NHL team despite the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes to Salt Lake City.

In Sept. of 2024, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman shot down rumors of potential expansion for the league, but with the growing popularity of the sport in the U.S. south, as well as the continuing interest from various cities, perhaps that could change as time goes on.

New Orleans already has two sports teams and no clear plan in terms of providing a stadium for a third. But if the Smoothie King Center, which currently hosts the New Orleans Pelicans NBA franchise, could also be the home of an incoming hockey club, the space issue could be resolved. However, it seems based on the early construction plans in cities like Houston and Atlanta, that a dedicated arena could be necessary to satisfy the league and make the city a more desirable expansion option.

The city just took on an ambitious $560 million renovation to the New Orleans Saints home stadium, the Caesars’ Superdome. That could put a wrench in any new construction plans being drawn up in the near future.