NHL plans expansion into Texas with Houston or Austin

The NHL is moving forward with plans to expand its roster of teams, with a new franchise in Texas expected to begin play in the 2029/30 season. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly indicated that an announcement regarding whether the team will be located in Houston or Austin could arrive by the end of this year.

Billionaire Dan Friedkin has reportedly agreed to a $2 billion expansion fee, a significant increase compared to the $500 million paid by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017. While the Texas expansion is the immediate priority, the league is also conducting discussions regarding potential future expansion in Phoenix and Atlanta.

League officials noted that the success of the Vegas Golden Knights demonstrated that expansion into growing markets like Austin can be highly effective, even if they are not the largest traditional markets.