Hunden Partners Releases Predictions for Future NHL Franchise Locations Following Rejection of Arizona Arena Deal
Tempe Center Arena in Tempe, Arizona
Hunden Partners issues a top 10 list of potential cities for NHL franchise, the Arizona Coyotes, after area residents reject the arena deal.
CHICAGO, June 21, 2023 (VSNewsNetwork.com) - Hunden Partners, a renowned national real estate advisory firm specializing in destination developments, has unveiled its latest list of "Top Major League Cities" in the wake of Tempe, Arizona residents rejecting a proposed NHL arena. The Arizona Coyotes had planned to construct an arena in Tempe as part of a $2.1 billion entertainment district, but without the necessary approval, the NHL franchise is expected to seek a new home. Leveraging their expertise in sports-anchored entertainment districts, Hunden Partners has updated its top 10 list of potential cities.
Rob Hunden, CEO of Hunden Partners, emphasized the economic and tourism benefits that sports and entertainment districts can bring to a city. He stated, "Multi-use districts centered around sports and entertainment can provide a significant boost to a city's economy and its level of tourism, but there's an alchemy of place that guides their success."
Hunden Partners initially introduced its "Top Major League Cities" predictions at the Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD) Annual Conference in 2018. Many of their projections, such as new franchises in Seattle and Austin, have materialized. The list comprises cities capable of supporting their first or an additional major league franchise, spanning NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS.
The analysis focuses on three key factors: local market power, including population growth, GDP, and commercial activity; the presence of a committed and financed ownership group; and the city's willingness to finance such a significant endeavor. In light of the failed vote in Tempe, Hunden has revisited its predictions to determine which cities are most likely to embrace the Arizona Coyotes franchise.
Drawing on updated trends and insights from the past five years, Hunden Partners has identified the following cities as the leading candidates for the Arizona Coyotes franchise:
Houston - With favorable market size and several predictive factors, Houston stands as a prime candidate for a franchise.
Quebec City - Boasting a passionate fan base and an already-renovated 18,200-seat NHL arena, Quebec City holds strong potential.
Atlanta - A top-10 market size and the prospect of an NHL presence in the suburbs, alongside a proposed $2 billion arena/entertainment district, make Atlanta a contender.
Salt Lake City - The existing Vivint Arena, home to the Utah Jazz, could temporarily accommodate an NHL franchise, with the possibility of transitioning to the soon-to-be-built Olympic Arena after the 2030 Winter Olympics.
San Diego - San Diego has shown promise in minor league hockey attendance and has the potential for a new 16,000-seat arena developed by Stan Kroenke for the NBA or NHL.
Kansas City - Previously vying for an NHL franchise in 2006-07 with the opening of the T-Mobile Center, Kansas City remains in the mix.
Sacramento - Although the hockey culture is less active, Sacramento's location presents an attractive opportunity for a franchise, with room for growth.
Milwaukee - Leveraging the existing hockey fan base and the Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee could seize the opportunity for an NHL presence.
Hamilton, Ontario - Hamilton benefits from a passionate local hockey fan base and a substantial population within a 30-minute drive radius. However, its 17,000-seat arena would require extensive renovations.
San Francisco - While there is a potential NHL opportunity at the new Chase Center, geographic overlap with the San Jose Sharks may pose a challenge.
About Hunden Partners
Hunden Partners, also known as "Hunden," is a leading real estate and destination development consulting firm, with professionals in Chicago, San Diego, and Minneapolis. The firm offers a full range of advisory, market and financial feasibility, economic and impact analyses for specialty destination assets such as sports facilities, mixed-use, and entertainment districts, convention and expo centers, hotels, entertainment venues, theme parks, recreation facilities, and other economic development projects.
In addition, Hunden also provides the developer solicitation and selection experience to move projects from concept to funding. Hunden's clients include cities, states, universities, DMOs, authorities, and private developers. Mr. Hunden has worked on more than 1,000 studies and has had a hand in the development of more than $20 billion in open and underway projects around the world. For more information, visit: www.hunden.com
Source: Hunden Partners via Newswire
