Former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is expanding his sports portfolio, joining an ownership group bringing a new ECHL hockey team to Lake Tahoe for the 2024-25 season. The announcement, made in conjunction with Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, marks an exciting development for the league and the Tahoe area.

Tebow, partnering with David Hodges, CEO of Hodges Management Group LLC, will be part of the ownership team for the currently unnamed franchise. The team will play its home games at the Tahoe Blue Events Center, a brand-new facility. This venture further solidifies Tebow's involvement in the ECHL, as he also holds minority ownership stakes in the Jacksonville Icemen and Savannah Ghost Pirates.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the project, Tebow emphasized the power of sports to unite communities and create lasting memories. He's eager to contribute to the growth of hockey in the Lake Tahoe region.

This expansion team will be the 29th franchise in the ECHL, strategically expanding the league's presence in the western part of North America. ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin highlighted the potential for new rivalries with existing teams like the Idaho Steelheads and Utah Grizzlies. The team is expected to announce its NHL affiliation in February 2024. The ECHL has a strong track record of developing NHL talent, with over 740 players having progressed to the NHL after starting their careers in the ECHL.