May 18, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; General view of the Calgary Flames logo on the ice prior to the game between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers in game one of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
May 18, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; General view of the Calgary Flames logo on the ice prior to the game between the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers in game one of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The NHL took a big step towards expansion in these years on Tuesday, June 23. Commissioner Gary Bettman announced at the Board of Governors meeting in New York. He mentioned that the league has agreed with the Friedkin family.
They are set to open a formal investigation into either Houston or Austin, Texas. This is to decide the home of a potential 33rd franchise.
The total investment required from the Friedkin family is around $3.5 billion, according to NHL .com. This covers the expansion fee paid to the NHL and the cost of building a new arena wherever it’s selected.
As part of this deal, the NHL has agreed to put a fixed amount toward that arena construction from the overall fee. This means that the direct cash for the ownership group would be in excess of $2 billion.
Apr 24, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media before game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Apr 24, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks to the media before game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
"That's part of the process, to determine what would be best, both for the league and for Dan Friedkin and family," Bettman said as quoted by Sportsnet. "Both cities will require a new arena. It may be more feasible in one place than the other."
Dan Friedkin is chairman and CEO of The Friedkin Group. The group owns Italian soccer club AS Roma and Everton in the English Premier League through its Pursuit Sports platform. Bettman explained that this discussion has been going on for the last two years, mostly around Houston, before Austin was even mentioned
Through Pursuit Sports they gave their own statement.
"Each city brings unique attributes that would make a new team a huge success," the family said as quoted by NHL.com. "We have wanted for some time to bring an NHL team to Texas, and we are excited that the process has now begun."
Commissioner Bettman said the NHL did not ask the Board of Governors to vote on the matter Tuesday. However, the Executive Committee discussed it in detail and supported the basic terms of the agreement with the Friedkin family.
Bettman said the full board will vote on it if both sides reach a final agreement, which could happen within the next six months.
The NHL last expanded in 2021 when the Seattle Kraken joined the league, bringing the total to 32 teams to the league.
NHL’s busy offseason gets bigger
The Texas announcement took place in the NHL's more active offseasons in recent memory. The official page of the Pittsburgh Penguins on X confirmed the sale of the franchise to the Hoffmann family for about $1.7 billion to $1.75 billion.
Coming to the roster side, the Florida Panthers got Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa, the Senators landed William Eklund from San Jose, and Edmonton hired Mike Babcock as head coach. The NHL Draft will start this Friday, June 26.
These expansion discussions will affect long-term planning fully across the league, to the NHL's broader strategy for growth in North America. The revenues in the league are expected to be between $7.5 billion and $8 billion this season, according to Bettman, as reported by NHL.com.
No franchise has been awarded till now, and no board vote has been scheduled. But if the Friedkin family and the league actually sort something out, the Texas expansion process could be the biggest thing this offseason.
Read more at NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar