Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
That's what I don't get.
I can understand not moving Arizona (4.5M metro pop) to Quebec City (800k) in terms of overall market size and opportunity.
But there is no argument that would apply to Arizona that wouldn't also apply to Houston (7.0M metro pop) but without the baggage of the 26 previous years.
It's a bigger city with an actual downtown arena that can accommodate hockey.
Maybe Fertitta isn't interested anymore due to COVID, but he has previously stated publicly that his dream was to bring a hockey team to Houston.
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When Fertitta says something publicly you can be sure it is for a purpose, and not to be transparent about his intentions. Meanwhile he took the ice plant out of Toyota Center about a year ago and replaced it with a VIP lounge area.
I have no inside knowledge of what he is thinking but I have seen nothing from his actions that leads me to believe he thinks owning an NHL team in his arena is a good idea. IMO he would do it of the price was right and that's going to be tricky with the latest expansion fees. He wanted no part of that.
And let's remember that NHL franchise moves are exceedingly rare. It has happened once in the last 25 years.