The National Hockey League has confirmed that it is still far from considering a new franchise in Atlanta, despite ongoing interest from a local ownership group. League officials emphasized that the application process is still several years away, citing the need for a comprehensive evaluation of market viability, arena readiness, and financial stability. The announcement comes as the expansion bid, led by a consortium of Atlanta business leaders, has been gathering momentum, but the NHL remains cautious, noting that the league’s expansion criteria and timeline remain unchanged. Fans and investors in the region will need to wait for further updates as the league continues to assess potential markets.

NHL ‘not even remotely close’ to application phase with Atlanta expansion group, league says  The New York Times