Commissioner Bettman also said the topic was not presented to the Board of Governors for a vote or informal poll, but there was an extensive discussion about it with the BOG Executive Committee, which endorsed the framework of the terms the NHL has entered into with the Friedkin family.<\/p>\n
The NHL is exploring expansion opportunities in Houston or Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n
More on the six-month process to evaluate the possibility of expanding \u2935\ufe0fhttps:\/\/t.co\/2ZuZSMfgHa<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NHL Media (@NHLMedia) June 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The Friedkin Family released a statement, noting their agreement with the NHL provides the Friedkins\u2019 Pursuit Sports,\u00a0which is a “global sports ownership and operating platform,”\u00a0exclusive rights to bring an expansion team to Texas with the focus being on Austin and Houston.<\/p>\n “Each city brings unique attributes that would make a new team a huge success,” the statement read. “Both have the infrastructure, passionate fan bases, and economic strength needed to support a championship-caliber franchise for years to come.<\/p>\n “We have wanted for some time to bring an NHL team to Texas, and we are excited that the process has now begun. Selecting a new market for an NHL franchise is a special and important responsibility, and we are grateful to the League for their faith in us and their support. Working with Commissioner Bettman and the NHL, we will undertake a principled, disciplined, and methodical process to ensure we find the right long-term home for this new franchise.”<\/p>\n NHL officially exploring expansion via 33rd team option in Texas<\/p>\n The NHL has been a 32-team league since 2021-22, when the Seattle Kraken made their debut. Seattle was unanimously approved as the League’s 32nd franchise at a BOG meeting on Dec. 4, 2018, with an expansion fee set at $650 million.<\/p>\n The League also established a franchise in Utah only two years ago, when the Smith Entertainment Group, led by co-owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, purchased the hockey operations and franchise rights of the Arizona Coyotes for $1.2 billion and brought both to Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n The expansion fee for the Vegas Golden Knights nine years ago was $500 million.<\/p>\n Commissioner Bettman also indicated that the Dallas Stars do not own territorial rights in Texas that would prevent the League from adding a team in Houston or Austin.\u00a0<\/p>\n Discussions have also been had\u00a0about the possibility of Atlanta and Arizona as potential expansion markets, but Bettman said\u00a0the Friedkin family’s pursuit of a team in Texas is the furthest along.<\/p>\n While both Austin and Houston are being considered via the previously mentioned six-month evaluation process, Bettman said South Texas and Houston in particular is a major market they have already identified.<\/p>\n “The fact is, as we’ve talked about all along, expansion depends on ownership, market, arena and what does it do to make the League stronger,” Commissioner Bettman said. “In that case, if you’re sitting in the room and the first three are checked, those first three boxes, you’ll then say to yourself what does it do to make the League stronger. Houston, South Texas, is a major market nationally.”<\/p>\n Kirby Lee-Imagn Images <\/p>\n The city of Houston is the fourth most populous city in the United States; the Census Reporter notes that the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, Texas Metro Area population is 7,796,182. The Census Reporter also indicated<\/a> the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, Texas Metro Area population is over 5 million less than the Houston Metro \u2014 coming in with a population at 2,550,637.<\/p>\n Houston currently\u00a0has six major professional sports franchises across the NFL, MLB, NBA, MLS and NWSL, with the WNBA arriving in 2027. Austin’s professional sports teams include only Austin FC (MLS), the Austin Spurs (NBA G League), the Round Rock Express (The MLB’s Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate) and the Texas Stars (American Hockey League).<\/p>\n![\"NHL](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2025-07-18T010045Z_890307369_MT1USATODAY26659282_RTRMADP_3_NHL-NHL-DRAFT.JPG.webp\" "\\"NHL")
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