SALT LAKE CITY EYES NHL EXPANSION TEAM
Salt Lake City is making a push to join the NHL with an expansion team, sparking discussions among fans and observers. While the league is set to collect around $1 billion in fees, it seems to be ignoring several important issues. The Athletic’s Eric Duhatschek outlines these concerns, including the fact that the league should focus on fixing the struggling Arizona franchise before considering expansion. Additionally, the current structure of the league with 33 teams is already well-balanced, and adding more teams would dilute the talent pool even further.
Duhatschek’s argument takes a strange turn when he suggests that adding teams would make it harder to win championships. Winning a championship is meant to be a challenging feat, not something that is easily achieved. The value of a championship lies in the difficulty of obtaining it, not in passing it around like a casual joint. Duhatschek contradicts himself by acknowledging that diluting the talent pool would actually make it easier for teams to win. However, this would undermine the importance of star power, which is a major factor in a team’s success.
The idea that teams need to win championships to maintain popularity and attendance is oversimplified. Currently, only five teams have an average capacity of less than 90 percent, which demonstrates strong fan support. Even struggling teams like the San Jose Sharks have proven that fans will back a competitive team. The size of the market or the history of mismanagement does not necessarily dictate fan loyalty. The Nashville Predators consistently sell out games despite only coming close to winning a Cup once. Similarly, the Tampa Bay Lightning had a strong fanbase even before their recent Cup victories.
Fans desire competitiveness, but they do not need a rotating championship to stay engaged. The notion of “parity” is often pushed by owners who do not want to invest in building great teams. This approach has led to a decline in popularity in sports like baseball. The most-watched World Series in recent memory was between the Cubs and the Guardians because both teams had endured long championship droughts. The NBA, a league that surpasses the NHL in popularity, embraces dynasties and gatekeeping teams. Fans appreciate the stories of struggling teams and are drawn to players from successful teams.
If Duhatschek wants a league where championships are handed out easily, he should watch MLS. However, even in MLS, fans are drawn to players like Leo Messi, who has achieved great success throughout his career. Every league wants to emulate the NFL, but the NFL is unique with its single-elimination format and dominant teams. Winning championships should be difficult and nearly impossible, which is why they are celebrated with parades and jubilant fans. Duhatschek’s vision of a world where championships are easily won is not what NHL fans desire.
