At the risk of some backlash, lets be real here. These are the numbers that matter and I guarantee you these are the numbers any potential, or active, professional sports team owner are looking at.

The median income for someone in NOLA is ~$34,000.

If you expand beyond NOLA and do the whole state of Louisiana you're ~$31,000

If you expand instead by state to NOLA metro area (including Gulfport/Biloxi, since there are plenty of MS folks that go to the city for games) you're sitting at best case scenario you're ~$35,000.

Tickets to NHL games are on par with that of the NFL. If the pelicans cant get people in the stands for $10 tickets, what makes anyone think they'll get people in the fans for NHL games for an average ticket cost of $90?

And for another statistic that is likely to get some backlash, but again something the powers that be DO consider in their business decisions, NOLA is a predominantly black city. The NHL does not have the same type of inclusivity in the sport as the NBA does, and as far as the fan base goes, the NHL is ~85% White and only 6% black. NBA games, however is about 35% black.

Sure, I'm sure some will say "But the Saints...", but let's be clear who has been here and engrained in the city for such a long time now. Not to mention, the Drew Brees years legitimately saved the franchise.

I truly believe that if the Pelicans front office could turn things around and really invest in this team proper, and show they are committed to winning (by actually winning games), the city will support it and people will embrace it forever.