The NHL’s big plans for expansion down in Texas, specifically choosing between Houston or Austin, are hitting a bit of a slow roll right now. Commissioner Gary Bettman just wrapped up a Board of Governors meeting, and the vibe is definitely “wait-and-see” on that multi-billion-dollar decision, pushing past the December timeline they were initially eyeing.
The Texas Tango Continues
Look, we all know the NHL is looking to grow, and Texas has been the hot spot. Back in June, they locked in on billionaire Dan Friedkin to bring a team to either Houston or Austin. But Bettman’s not sugar-coating it, saying there’s “still a lot of work to do.” This isn’t just some small deal, folks. We’re talking about a “multibillion-dollar transaction that has an impact on all of the other clubs in the league.” Three-quarters of the governors have to be on board for this to happen, so every “i” needs a dot, every “t” needs a cross. It’s not a rush job, and Bettman called it “grassroots oriented, emerging holistically from places with a genuine interest that have solicited us,” not a rigid “process.” A second team in Texas, joining the Dallas Stars, is gonna cost around $3.5 billion for the league expansion fee and a brand-new arena. That’s a serious investment!
Big Bucks, Big Moves Behind the Scenes
And it’s not just Texas making noise. Atlanta and Phoenix are also showing major interest, with Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly hinting that “more intensive feasibility studies” could be coming for those markets. This league is growing, people! We’re talking projected mixed-currency revenue of about $8.1 billion for the 2026-27 season, a nice bump from the nearly $8 billion last season. A huge part of that is a new 12-year, $7.7 billion English-language media rights deal in Canada with Rogers Communications that runs through 2037-38. Even with local media disruption, the league’s seeing record-level salary caps and historic player contracts. Bettman expects the local media model to “evolve,” and they’re ready to stay flexible. Meanwhile, there’s been a leadership shake-up on the Board of Governors. Capitals owner Ted Leonsis is the new chair, taking over from Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs after 19 years. Murray Edwards, the Flames governor, is the new vice chairman. This shift comes as the NHL is riding a wave of revenue acceleration and getting ready to negotiate new US television contracts starting in 2028. They’re definitely leveraging that rising popularity!
So, while the NHL is busy dotting those ‘i’s and crossing those ‘t’s on expansion and raking in the cash, our Seattle Kraken are out there handling business! Just last night, the boys showed up in Calgary, taking down the Flames 4-2. That’s what I’m talking about! We’ll be watching closely to see when that Texas decision finally drops and what other markets might get into the mix. Until then, keep loud and proud, Emerald City!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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