NHL executive says a Texas expansion team could be approved and announced by year’s end
MUNICH (AP) — The NHL is hoping to award an expansion franchise to Texas as soon as the end of this year, deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic this week. In an interview…
The NHL is aiming to award an expansion franchise to Texas by the end of 2026, according to Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. During a recent press conference in Munich, Daly disclosed that the league has been working with a group led by Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin, who has already committed to paying the $2 billion expansion fee to establish a team in either Houston or Austin.
The decision will depend on the group's ability to secure an arena in one of those cities and obtain final approval from the NHL’s Board of Governors for the addition of a 33rd team. Daly expects the league to receive an update from the Friedkin group within the next few weeks and plans to reconvene with them in September to review their progress and discuss any assistance required.
If the board approves the proposal, the NHL is projected to make the announcement by the end of the year, with the Texas team set to debut within three years. The league is also holding discussions with ownership groups interested in the 34th team, with potential locations including Phoenix and Atlanta.
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