Forsyth County and Alpharetta politicians have cleared the way to build arenas.
The National Hockey League is in a dream position in terms of expanding into the Atlanta market. There are two competing arena proposals seven miles apart in South Forsyth and Alpharetta, Georgia. The local municipalities have given the go ahead to zoning changes that could see venues built but the NHL is not in advanced talks with the group pushing the South Forsyth proposed arena or the Alpharetta proposed arena. There is no timeline as to when either building might be ready to host a hockey game. Vernon Krause is leading the South Forsyth group hoping to land an NHL expansion franchise. Krause Sports and Entertainment is developing The Gathering at South Forsyth. In 2025, Forsyth County politicians approved a plan that features an 18,500-seat arena. The NHL is charging $2 billion for an expansion franchise and Krause is looking to come up with the money.
On August 24th, the Alpharetta City Council approved a plan to transform North Point Mall into an arena-village that would include a mixed-use entertainment district and a 20,000-seat arena. The problem with the North Point Mall arena proposal is no potential owner has been identified as of yet. Who has the real money? If the NHL expands to the northern Atlanta market, it will come down to money. The NHL is talking to Dan Friedkin about owning a franchise in either Houston or Austin, Texas. Friedkin has the money but no arena. The Atlanta market has been problematic for the NHL. Two franchises moved out of town. The Flames franchise had money issues when it was part of the Atlanta sports scene between 1972 and 1980. The Thrashers franchise had ownership problems between 1999 and 2011 caused partially by the disastrous Time Warner AOL merger and then by the next set of owners. It is always about money.
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