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The NHL has taken its first formal step toward possible expansion in Texas. Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the league is exploring opportunities in Houston or Austin. The NHL reached an agreement with billionaire Dan Friedkin and his family to study the possibility over the next six months. Bettman said the NHL Board of Governors executive committee approved a term sheet with the Friedkin family. However, the league has not approved a new franchise yet. Instead, both sides will spend time evaluating the best path forward.
The potential investment would reach approximately $3.5 billion. That figure includes an expansion fee and the cost of building a new arena. Both Houston and Austin would require a new arena before an NHL team could begin play. Bettman explained that discussions focused mainly on Houston during the past two years. However, Austin recently entered the conversation as another possible destination. As a result, league officials now plan to examine both cities carefully.
According to Bettman, the NHL wants to determine which market offers the strongest long-term opportunity. He noted that both cities present different advantages. Therefore, league officials will conduct extensive research before making any final decision. Dan Friedkin serves as chairman and chief executive officer of the Friedkin Group. Forbes estimates his net worth at $6.4 billion. The Friedkin Group operates from Houston, Texas. The company holds investments across several industries, including automotive, entertainment, hospitality, and sports.
In addition, the Friedkin family owns stakes in European soccer clubs Everton and AS Roma. Their growing sports portfolio makes them a serious candidate for NHL ownership. Although excitement surrounds the possibility, no board vote has occurred. Any vote would happen only after both sides complete their evaluation process. Consequently, the NHL has not guaranteed a 33rd franchise. If the league eventually adds another team, it would become the largest professional sports league in North America. The NHL currently operates with 32 franchises. A new club would push the league past the NFL’s total number of teams.
Bettman said the NHL also discussed expansion possibilities in Atlanta and Arizona. However, neither market has progressed as far as the Friedkin proposal in Texas. Therefore, Houston and Austin currently appear to lead the league’s expansion discussions. Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, a member of the executive committee, stressed that the process remains exploratory. He described the decision as important while emphasizing that no final conclusions have emerged. Meanwhile, the Friedkin family released a statement through Pursuit Sports. The family confirmed it secured exclusive rights to pursue an NHL franchise in South Texas. The statement identified Houston and Austin as the primary focus cities.
Furthermore, the family expressed confidence in both markets. They cited strong infrastructure, passionate sports fans, and economic strength as key advantages. They also stated a long-standing desire to bring NHL hockey to Texas. The NHL last expanded in 2021 when the Seattle Kraken entered the league. Before Seattle joined, the Vegas Golden Knights began play during the 2017-18 season. Those expansion teams achieved strong financial success and generated significant fan interest. Earlier expansion fees illustrate the league’s growth. Las Vegas paid $500 million to join the NHL. Seattle later paid $650 million. Today, expansion fees could exceed $1 billion because franchise values continue rising across professional sports.
Moreover, the NHL has enjoyed considerable success in non-traditional hockey markets. Over the past four decades, the league expanded throughout the Sun Belt region. New franchises arrived in South Florida, Tampa, San Jose, Anaheim, Nashville, and Las Vegas. Relocations also helped grow the sport. Teams moved to Dallas, Texas; Raleigh, North Carolina; Denver, Colorado; and other markets. These cities embraced professional hockey and developed strong fan support. That success has translated into championships as well. Teams located in Sun Belt markets have captured the Stanley Cup during each of the past seven seasons. Additionally, those franchises have won 13 Stanley Cups since Colorado claimed the championship during the 1995-96 season.
As a result, the NHL sees Texas as a promising opportunity for future growth. Houston offers one of the nation’s largest metropolitan markets. Meanwhile, Austin continues to grow rapidly and attract major sports investments. For now, league officials and the Friedkin family will continue their analysis. Their findings will determine whether Houston or Austin becomes the NHL’s next destination. Until then, the expansion process remains in its early stages, but Texas stands firmly at the center of the league’s future plans.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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