Houston is 'very enthusiastic' to get an NHL team but not financing an arena, poll of voters shows
A new Houston NHL team would be received favorably, according to a poll of Harris County voters. But the support for financing a new arena is another matter.
A new survey of Harris County voters reveals strong enthusiasm for a potential NHL team in Houston, but significant opposition to public funding for an arena. Pursuit Sports, representing Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin's sports ventures, is evaluating Houston and Austin for an NHL franchise, with a potential vote at the NHL's December meeting.
The University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs survey of 2,750 Harris County voters, expected to participate in the recent midterm elections, found that about two-thirds were "very enthusiastic" or "somewhat enthusiastic" about an NHL team. However, only 34% were "very enthusiastic" and 32% "somewhat enthusiastic," while 18% were "not at all enthusiastic" and 16% "not too enthusiastic."
When asked about the proportion of the $1.5 billion arena's cost they would support from public funds, 59% said no public funding should be provided, with the majority in each demographic opting for zero. Political science professor and Hobby School fellow Mark P. Jones attributes this to economic constraints and a growing sentiment against public funding for sports venues, particularly from billionaires.
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