The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

New York does it. Chicago does it. Los Angeles does it. Why not expand to allow a second franchise play in the exact same city in the exact same sport in the exact same league? In this case, the sport is hockey, the city is Toronto and the league is the NHL.

Toronto is the NHL's crown jewel when it comes to fan support and revenue. Even though they haven't won a championship in 41 years, the building is always sold out and merchandise sales never stop. Is there room for another team for Leafs fans to support?

This whole idea became an issue when an anonymous NHL governor stated the league was looking into expansion by placing another team in the same area the gold standard of NHL franchises is located (from a money perspective, anyway). With the salary cap and revenue sharing, owners are starting to pay attention that it actually matters whether or not a team is pulling in money. It took awhile, but the NHL is starting to see the logic that you want to have teams where fan support is strong. There's a reason why the NHL has opened up the season in Europe the last couple of years, with the recent Penguins-Senators contests in Sweden selling out in a matter of hours. The thought of having teams across the Atlantic is something they'll ponder for the next few years.

Having said all that, I just don't think the Toronto Maple Leafs would ever want to share their precious market with anyone, and I don't blame them. There is absolutely nothing to gain by having to share the same fans & building and seeing the money land in the hands of another owner. Greed trumps all.

I also don't think the league can court expansion. Instead, it would have to move an existing franchise that's struggling with ticket sales such as an Atlanta, Florida or Washington instead of risking further watering down the product by having 31 teams. The red tape to move a franchise, as experienced by Canadian entrepreneur Jim Balsille, is quite the obstacle in itself.

It also doesn't help the Canadian dollar is now hovering at the 80 cent mark, and the economic uncertainty is putting most industries in survival mode. Business owners are bracing themselves for what they think will be reduced revenues and how they'll survive the doom & gloom many are predicting.

This doesn't mean I don't think more teams in Canada is a bad idea. Quite the contrary: Three teams in Ontario could work, as well as revisiting Winnipeg & Quebec City. But for now, I don't think we'll see much change, much less a second team in Toronto.