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Why Baltimore has failed to earn an NHL team

Baltimore isn’t considered a prime location for an NHL team. The city has been home to several minor league hockey teams over the years, but has never had an NHL franchise. There are a number of reasons why Baltimore hasn’t been able to attract an NHL team, and it’s unlikely that the situation will change anytime soon. Here’s a look at some of the main factors that have kept Baltimore out of the NHL.

The market cannot currently handle any other sports teams

According to American City Business Journals’ recent research, Baltimore isn’t blessed with the financial resources needed to support a second major professional sports team. Although the region boasts a robust population base and relatively high personal income, it wouldn’t be financially sustainable for any new outfit beyond the beloved Orioles and Ravens. It’s clear that Baltimore has enthusiasm for sports, too bad they can’t support another team – at least not yet!

While sports betting is big on several sports in Baltimore, there isn’t much room for expansion in the Baltimore betting market. According to sites like BetMGM, the NHL betters are only a small portion of their userbase. Nevertheless, NHL betters should use a BetMGM Maryland bonus code if they want to save money on their betting.

There is not enough interest in hockey among Baltimore residents

Baltimore has a long and storied sports history, but it appears that hockey is not a part of it. Few Baltimore residents attend local hockey games or talk about the sport in comparison to the buzz around other professional sports teams in the city. With a lack of public interest, there are no professional hockey teams representing Baltimore at any level, leaving passionate fans without something close by to watch. If Baltimore wants to help build its reputation as a top-notch sports city, reigniting the enthusiasm for hockey among its citizens should be at the top of the list.

The Maryland market is already saturated with NHL teams in the area

It’s a bummer that the Maryland market is already saturated with NHL teams, limiting the possibility of Baltimore actually getting one of its own. With the Washington Capitals already claiming this area, it’s tough to see how a new team could ever stand out and make its mark. Sports fans all over have been foaming at the mouth for an NHL team in Baltimore and easy-flowing rivalries between local franchises, but unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be room for them. Let’s hope if any changes are made. It opens up more room for all of those Baltimore hockey lovers who continue to hold out hope.

Baltimore does not have an NHL-ready hockey arena that can accommodate a team

Baltimore sports fans have been hoping for years that an NHL team would make its way to Charm City, but the current arena situation is a huge roadblock for this dream. Although there are local venues that can hold hockey games, none of them are up to the standards an NHL franchise requires for its home stadium. This means that it’s unlikely that a major hockey team will be finding their new home in Baltimore any time soon, much to the dismay of many local sports fanatics who have had their sights set on the chance to cheer on a professional hockey team in their own city.

As mentioned, the CFBG arena is over 50 years old, and the city has not been able to secure enough funding to build a new arena, or renovate the existing one.

In conclusion, although many people in Baltimore have their hearts set on having an NHL team call Charm City “home,” there are several factors that have kept Baltimore from achieving this goal. From a lack of interest in hockey among locals to the current arena situation, it’s hard to imagine an NHL team making their home in Baltimore anytime soon. Despite this, there is still hope for the future, and die-hard hockey fans continue to hold out hope that one day they will be able to cheer on an NHL team in their own city.

 

By Pablo Mendoza

Pablo Mendoza is an FIH Hockey Academy Educator and the owner of A Hockey World. Contact: pablo@ahockeyworld.net