NHL Evaluates Austin and Houston for Potential 33rd Franchise

The NHL has entered an agreement with the Friedkin family to explore a $3.5 billion investment for an expansion team in either Austin or Houston.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league is exploring the addition of a 33rd franchise to be located in either Austin or Houston, Texas. The league entered into a six-month agreement with the Friedkin family, led by Dan Friedkin, to evaluate both markets. The proposed project involves a $3.5 billion investment covering both the expansion fee and the construction costs for a new NHL arena.

Austin has emerged as a preferred destination for the ownership group despite Houston being the largest U.S. metropolitan area currently without an NHL team. While Houston represents the nation's sixth-largest television market, Austin is ranked 34th but has been one of the fastest-growing markets for over 15 years. If approved, this would be the third expansion since 2017, following the additions of the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken.

Dan Friedkin, who owns AS Roma in Serie A and Everton FC in the Premier League, would be a first-time North American major league owner. The NHL Board of Governors is scheduled to discuss the expansion update in New York on Tuesday. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly noted that while Texas is the current focus, Atlanta and Phoenix remain under consideration for potential future spots.

To accommodate a 33rd team, the league may place the new club in the Central Division, resulting in an uneven 17-team Western Conference and 16-team Eastern Conference. The NHL reported revenues between $7.5 billion and $8 billion last season. Any new franchise would likely follow the same expansion draft rules used by Vegas and Seattle, allowing existing teams to protect either seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie, or eight total skaters and one goalie.