During the NHL European Media Tour in Munich, Germany, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly signaled that a new franchise is imminent in Texas. the league is currently coordinating with billionaire Dan Friedkin to finalize a deal that could see a team playing by the 2029-30 season.
The $2 billion Pursuit Sports commitment
The NHL is currently negotiating a massive expansion in Texas, with Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirming that billionaire Dan Friedkin’s Pursuit Sports has already committed to a $2 billion expansion fee. Speaking in Munich, Daly noted that the league and Friedkin are actively collaborating on the project to secure a franchise for either Houston or Austin. the NHL plans to reconvene with the group in September to assess progress, with the hope of delivering a finalized proposal to the board of governors for approval by the end of this calendar year.
Houston's arena shortage vs. Austin's "unnique" appeal
Houston's lack of a dedicated hockey arena remains a primary obstacle, as the city's fourth-largest market cannot rely on sharing the Toyota Center with the NBA's Houston Rockets. While Houston has long been discussed as a potential home for the former Arizona Coyotes, the league is now looking toward Austin as a "unique" alternative. If the expansion proceeds as planned, a Texas-based franchse could begin competition as early as the 2029-30 season, potentially leveraging the hockey culture already present in suburbs like Cedar Park,home to the Texas Stars.
The math behind the Phoenix and Atlanta discussions
Adding a single team to Texas would bring the NHL to 33 franchises, a number that creates a logistical imbalance for the league's divisional structure. to rectify this, Daly noted that the NHL is maintaining ongoing discussions with stakeholders in both the Phoenix and Atlanta marketplaces.. The league appears to be seeking a pair of markets to ensure the schedule remains functional, effectively looking to return to cities where previous expansion attempts failed. Daly suggested that once the Texas team is secured, the league will have "one down and potentially one to go" in its quest for a balanced roster of teams.
How a 33-team league affects the Stanley Cup Playoff formmat
Despite the financial clarity regarding the Texas fee, several operational details remain unverified. The report does not clarify how a move to 33 or 35 teams would alter the existing Stanley Cup Playoff format or the number of teams qualifying for the postseason. Additionally, while Daly dismissed concerns that a larger talent pool might "water down" the quality of play, the league has yet to provide specific details on how it will maintain elite standards across a larger roster of players. The question of whether the league will prioritize market size or arena readiness in these upcoming decisions remains a central uncertainty.
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