"I think times have changed pretty dramatically and the market demographics have changed pretty dramatically since the first time we went there and then again in 1999," he said. "I think a lot of bigger businesses are in Atlanta [now]."
Yikes! These clowns don't get it. NHL teams need FANS, not markets or "bigger businesses" that will lease corporate suites.
The NHL only makes money on game days, not on broadcast revenue. The NHL is a small tier sport that relies HEAVILY on game days.
In 2017 when Atlanta United had their first soccer season in Atlanta, they sold out MB Stadium.
Atlanta United averages 47,000 fans per game.
Why do so many people come to watch soccer in Atlanta versus the few that came to watch hockey?
Answer: They like soccer and not hockey. It's not a market for hockey. (See Arizona as well).
It's really that simple. Hockey does not attract in Atlanta. People don't identify with the sport.
Atlanta does not have the current hockey demographic (old white-ish peeps).
However it's a boon demographic for soccer (young - any color of the rainbow).
NHL needs to find another state/region.