Tebow part of ownership group for ECHL expansion team

Tim Tebow, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who went on to play professional football and baseball, is part of the ownership group for the Lake Tahoe expansion team in the ECHL.

"I love that sports can bring people together from all over to enjoy camaraderie, competition, and community impact," Tebow said. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be part of a group bringing hockey to the Tahoe area for fans and families to create memories for years to come."

The team, which is yet to be named, will begin play in the 2024-25 season at the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, Nevada, a 4,200-plus seat arena that is expected to begin operations later this month.

Tim remains an investor in the Jacksonville and Savannah franchises. Per ECHL rules, individuals are allowed to have ownership interests in multiple teams, with the caveat being there can be no trades or direct waiver claims made by teams that have common ownership.

Joining Tebow in the ownership group is David Hodges, CEO of Hodges Management Group, LLC.

"The ECHL proudly welcomes the 29th member team to the league in the brand-new Tahoe Blue Event Center, expanding our geography in the western part of the continent, and creating natural rivalries for visiting fans with the Idaho Steelheads, Utah Grizzlies, and the entire Mountain Division," ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin said. "This new team will offer the only professional sports action in the region, giving locals a hometown team and fast-paced entertainment, with a commitment to giving back and growing the game of hockey in the community. This ownership and operating group have already shown the ability to create a new generation of ECHL fans, and we look forward to the excitement they will bring to South Tahoe."

The NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe were played Feb. 20-21, 2021, at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 in the first game, and the Boston Bruins defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 7-3 in the second game.

Tebow, 35, won the 2007 Heisman Trophy while playing for the Florida Gators, the first sophomore to earn the award presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football. He played in the NFL for the Denver Broncos (2010-11) and New York Jets (2012) and was with the New York Mets organization from 2016 to 2021.

Tebow is a college football analyst for the SEC Network and contributes to various ESPN platforms, including the network's Heisman Trophy coverage.

Inside photo courtesy: Alex Margulies/Nevada Sports Net