NHL to Explore Houston, Austin for Potential Expansion Franchise During 2026 Offseason

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman informed the league's Board of Governors during a meeting in New York on Tuesday that a process will begin to investigate the possibility of an expansion franchise in Houston or Austin, Texas, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet and NHL Network.

"More details after meeting is complete, but it is believed the same ownership group will lead the process, deciding on which of the two cities better fits for the NHL," Friedman wrote.

Bettman spoke on the situation on Tuesday, via The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun:

The Friedkin family and Pursuit Sports have released a statement on the matter, noting they have obtained exclusive rights to bring an NHL expansion team to Texas.

"Pursuit Sports, our family's global sports ownership and operating platform, has reached an agreement with the NHL that provides us with the exclusive rights to bring an expansion NHL team to the State of Texas, with a primary focus on both Austin and Houston as potential markets. 

"Each city brings unique attributes that would make a new team a huge success - both have the infrastructure, passionate fan bases, and economic strength needed to support a championship-caliber franchise for years to come.

"We have wanted for some time to bring an NHL team to Texas, and we are excited that the process has now begun. Selecting a new market for an NHL franchise is a special and important responsibility, and we are grateful to the league for their faith in us and their support. Working with Commissioner Bettman and the NHL, we will undertake a principled, disciplined, and methodical process to ensure we find the right long-term home for this new franchise."

The NHL last expanded in 2021, when the Seattle Kraken began play as the league's 32nd franchise. The league has been home to a Texas team since 1993, when the Minnesota North Stars moved to Dallas and became the Stars.

David Pagnetta of The Fourth Period and St. Louis Blues reporter Andy Strickland provided some insight:

TSN's Darren Dreger also chimed in on how ownership might react to expansion.

Per ESPN's Emily Kaplan, Bettman said at the press conference at the Stanley Cup Final that the league has taken calls from prospective cities and owners interested in bringing an NHL franchise to their locales.

The fee to do so will be costly. Per Kaplan, Bettman "previously told the board of governors that any potential expansion team would likely come with at least a $2 billion fee for it to make sense."

That's a steep rise from previous expansion fees ($500 million for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017-18 and $650 million for Seattle in 2021-22).

Still, one can surmise there will be an ownership group willing to pay that price. The wheels appear to be in some motion toward further expansion at this point, with Houston and Austin now in the picture.

Austin has never had a professional major league hockey team, although Houston was once home to the World Hockey Association's Aeros from 1972-1978.

Cedar Park, a suburb of Austin, is the current home of the Dallas Stars' AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars.