http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/blog ... ns-in.htmlGuess it came down to negotiations for a new lease at the Toyota Center falling through, and rent in Des Moines being dirt cheap. Unfortunately, they're assuming they'll enjoy increased revenue as a result. Wrong.
I can't see how they couldn't invest some $$$ in building a new arena that might better suit their needs in Houston. For anyone who's ever been to Houston, it's one of the biggest, most spread-out cities I've ever seen. I went to see my sister-in-law and her family when they lived there a while back and was astounded that you basically had to hop on the Interstate to get anywhere. In the city. Not talking suburbs here, the city itself. Surely there's room in a town that ridiculously populous and overdeveloped for a minor league hockey team whose roots hearken back to the WHA. Gordie freakin' Howe and his sons played for the Aeros for cryin' out loud.
Maybe the Preds or Panthros will move there eventually, or the NHL will consider them for expansion.