Vernon Krause is ready for his shot at the big leagues. It’s been only a year since he had the idea of bringing NHL hockey back to Atlanta. The local entrepreneur now finds himself on the verge of presenting a fully realized vision to the NHL Commissioner in New York.
In a recent interview with @Ria_Martin on 11Alive, Krause shared that his team at Krause Sports & Entertainment has secured both land ownership and zoning approval for The Gathering project, with lawyers now working on finalizing a contract with Forsyth County. The next step, he said, is to present their proposal to the NHL for formal expansion consideration. And any league decision will have to wait until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached, likely around the Stanley Cup Final. Krause also revealed plans to build a two-sheet community ice rink in coordination with the county, aiming to support youth hockey development and serve as a practice facility for a potential NHL team.
BREAKING – In a recent interview with @Ria_Martin on 11 Alive, Vernon Krause discussed where The Gathering is now and what the next steps are. Here’s the breakdown:
-Krause Sports & Entertainment team has approved zoning and land ownership.
-Lawyers are working on final step… pic.twitter.com/aqkzKg3SpI
— NHL to Atlanta (@NHLtoAtlanta) May 9, 2025
And Vernon Krause’s proposal is more than just hockey. The planned development in South Forsyth isn’t just an arena; it’s a vision. Picture a vibrant, self-contained ecosystem of restaurants, shops, and residential and office spaces, all anchored by the NHL arena. It’s designed as a ‘live, work, play’ hub meant to energize the region and capture the hearts of hockey fans.
Vernon Krause comes with a vision beyond the ice
“I think we’re in the home stretch,” Krause said, revealing that Forsyth County has greenlit both the zoning permissions. In January 2025, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners officially approved Krause’s mixed-use development project called “The Gathering.” This was a major milestone that cleared the path to pursue NHL expansion formally. “There’s certain criteria that we have to meet to even apply for an expansion franchise and that was purchasing land, getting the zoning that we needed; both of those have been accomplished,” Krause said in the interview with 11Alive.
But Vernon Krause knows he’s not alone. Since last year, a competing proposal has emerged from the Alpharetta Sports & Entertainment Group, led by former NHL player Anson Carter. Their group has also expressed interest in bringing an NHL franchise back to the metro Atlanta area. Krause, however, remains confident. “Number one, we have land in a great area,” he noted. “Everyone’s acknowledged that the reason for failure in the past has been downtown arena locations.” That, and a clear desire to build the sport from the ground up.
From sponsoring youth teams to plans for community rinks serving high schools and junior tournaments, Krause wants Atlanta’s next NHL franchise to be rooted in grassroots hockey. “Our plans are to build two community ice rinks… that would be available to be used by the high schools in Forsyth County to build hockey programs,” he stated. The facilities would also double as the NHL team’s practice rinks.
Only one key hurdle remains. The NHL is not expected to vote on expansion until a new collective bargaining agreement is finalized between the players and the league. Those negotiations are still ongoing, meaning Krause and other suitors must be ready but patient. Still, Vernon Krause and company are hopeful and insist the support is there.
The post NHL Expansion One Step Away as Atlanta Confirms Commissioner Meeting appeared first on EssentiallySports.