NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly just laid out the roadmap for the league’s 33rd franchise, and trust me, it’s a quick trip to Texas with a massive $2 billion price tag attached. We’re talking about an announcement for the new team’s location potentially by the end of 2026, with the squad hitting the ice and officially joining the NHL by the 2029-30 season. This isn’t some far-off dream, folks, it’s happening, and it’s happening fast.
Texas Is Getting a Massive Bet From the NHL
Daly dropped the bombshell during the NHL’s European Media Tour, confirming what many of us suspected: the league is full steam ahead on expansion in the Lone Star State. He told reporters, “We’re moving forward in Texas. I expect ultimately we’ll be in a position to bring something to the board to get their view on it.” That’s a pretty clear signal, right? Billionaire Dan Friedkin, based out of Houston, has already committed a staggering $2 billion to purchase an NHL expansion team, eyeing either Houston or Austin as its home. Daly even mentioned that Friedkin’s group is “projecting the ability to start play in 2029-30,” which means this isn’t just talk, it’s a concrete plan with serious money behind it. Get ready for NHL hockey in a brand new market, and soon!
Houston or Austin? And Who’s Next?
So, where in Texas will this $2 billion team land? It’s a head-to-head between two powerhouse cities: Houston and Austin. Houston, already one of the most populous cities in the U.S., boasts NFL, NBA, and MLB franchises, and even had a popular World Hockey Association team, the Houston Aeros, from 1972 to 1978. They know pro sports. Then there’s Austin, hitting over a million folks by July 2025. It stands as the most populated U.S. city without a team in any of the traditional big four pro sports leagues, even though its MLS club, Austin FC, pulls in over 20,000 fans a game. The fan base is there, they proved it with soccer.
But wait, there’s more. The NHL isn’t stopping at 33 teams. The plan is to add another franchise after Texas to get to 34 teams. While the location for that 34th team isn’t set, Daly confirmed ongoing discussions with groups in the Phoenix marketplace and Atlanta. The league is absolutely looking to grow, and grow fast.
The next big step is for the league to meet with Friedkin’s group again in September. After that, we could see an official announcement by the end of this calendar year if the board gives its approval. Get ready, the NHL is about to get even bigger.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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