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Insider's Comments About Second NHL Franchise in Toronto Creating a Stir
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski Imagn Images
There have been a few failed attempts to add a second franchise in Toronto, but Kevin Weekes believes it could happen and makes a strong case as to why it would work.
At the beginning of last season, Bell Media shocked many when they sold their entire stake in MLSE to their counterpart Rogers, giving the communications giant majority ownership of the Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Argonauts.
MLSE's stranglehold over the sports scene in Toronto has led to outrageously high ticket prices, that have forced the average and die-hard fans out in favour of suits, leading to a funeral-like atmosphere at most Leafs games.
There have been attempts in the past to bring a second NHL team to Toronto, but each time it has been brought up, Commissioner Gary Bettman has shot down the idea in favour of additional U.S. expansion.
Why the Toronto Market Can Support a Second NHL Franchise
Former NHLer turned insider Kevin Weekes was asked about the potential of a second franchise in Toronto during an interview on Tuesday and made a very good case as to why it would work.
"I'm not sure where this will ever get to based on Leafs ownership and Board of Governors and Commissioner Bettman, but growing up there and the demand for the game there, they can unquestionably support another team. Having played for all these metro teams here in New York -- Devils, Rangers, Islanders... You see the distinct differences between each franchise and franchise history and the fandom, so yes, I definitely think they could have another team in Toronto."
As Weekes mentioned, given the NHL's preference for U.S. expansion, it seems unlikely it will happen, but the league should take note of how the Islanders, Rangers, Devils and even the Flyers have all managed to co-exist in a rather small geographical area for decades.
Having a second team in Toronto, or in the Greater Toronto Area, would create a brand new dynamic in Canadian hockey. At this point, however, it would seemingly take an extraordinary amount of money to get MLSE to even consider shifting regional boundaries.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 1 | 1659 ANSWERS Insider's Comments About Second NHL Franchise in Toronto Creating a Stir Would you like to see a second team in the Toronto area? | ||
| Yes, it should have been done years ago | 873 | 52.6 % |
| No, prices will just skyrocket even more | 524 | 31.6 % |
| It depends where it would be | 262 | 15.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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