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Originally Posted by JAYNYC
It's interesting that the NHL has become popular in certain markets that one would never expect it to be popular in (San Jose & Nashville), yet has failed to take off in other similar markets (Atlanta & Phoenix). It will be interesting to see what happens in Las Vegas over the long-term.
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For the purposes of this discussion, San Jose is basically San Francisco, which means that the Sharks have a pretty sizable TV market and season ticket base to grow and maintain. Nashville is surprising but probably has to do with good ownership. Phoenix was a mistake in every way imaginable from start to finish, they moved to a non-hockey configurable arena then moved way out in the boonies to a suburb. They may have had a chance in Phoenix or Tempe (because of they could draw ASU students to games).
I think the biggest problem for Atlanta is that the Thrashers never became good.