Expansion back in play for NHL as Austin, Houston emerge — The Fourth Period

The NHL Board of Governors meeting is taking place in New York City today and one of the topic of discussion is potential expansion.

As TFP’s David Pagnotta has reported all season, the NHL is considering the prospect of expanding once again, with markets like Atlanta, Houston, New Orleans, Phoenix, Austin and Indianapolis among the cities under consideration.

Several media members have reported that the NHL is considering starting the expansion process with one group that is interested in bringing an NHL franchise to either Austin or Houston, and that a formal investigation will be made to determine which of the two cities makes the most sense for the NHL.

TFP has learned that the Friedkin Family, through Pursuit Sports, has entered into an exclusive agreement with the NHL to expand and bring another NHL franchise to the State of Texas.

At the 2025 NHL Board of Governors meeting, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman updated the Board on interest from multiple parties, but the League wasn’t prepared to go down that road, at that time.

It seems the NHL is now interested in exploring this possibility further.

The Friedkin Family provided the following statement to TFP:

“Pursuit Sports, our family’s global sports ownership and operating platform, has reached an agreement with the NHL that provides us with the exclusive rights to bring an expansion NHL team to the State of Texas, with a primary focus on both Austin and Houston as potential markets. 

“Each city brings unique attributes that would make a new team a huge success – both have the infrastructure, passionate fan bases, and economic strength needed to support a championship-caliber franchise for years to come.

“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.”

The NHL has also been considering expanding back to Atlanta, where the Krause Sports & Entertainment, led by Atlanta businessman Vernon Krause, has already been working on a new entertainment district – “The Gathering at South Forsyth” – that has already started development.

Bettman revealed last summer that the expansion fee starts at $2 billion and the NHL would not have interest in pursuing options unless the dollars, arena, ownership group and plans all aligned.