- Gary Bettman says the NHL is exploring a second Texas team in Houston or Austin
- Billionaire Dan Friedkin and his family have six months to study a $3.5 billion expansion
- Read below for Bettman’s full breakdown and where Atlanta and Arizona fit in
The NHL wants a second team in Texas.
Commissioner Gary Bettman announced Tuesday that the league is exploring expansion in Houston or Austin, with billionaire Dan Friedkin and his family signing on to investigate whether it can work. The price is steep at $3.5 billion, a figure that covers both the expansion fee and the cost of building a new arena.
Bettman was asked what would push the project over the line.
“As we’ve talked about all along, expansion depends on ownership, market, arena and what does it do to make the league stronger,” Bettman said. “Houston, South Texas, is a major market nationally.”
The Friedkins have about six months to dig in. Both cities would need a new building, and Bettman said one might prove more realistic than the other once the due diligence wraps up.
Houston has been the focus for a while. Bettman said the talks over the past two years centered mostly on that market before Austin entered the picture.
Dan Friedkin isn’t a small name. He runs the Friedkin Group, sits on a reported $6.4 billion fortune, and already owns stakes in European soccer clubs Everton and AS Roma.
A new Texas club wouldn’t step on the Dallas Stars’ territory, according to Bettman.
The league isn’t stopping there. Bettman also gave updates on possible expansion in Atlanta and Arizona, so Texas isn’t the only market on the radar.
It all comes as Bettman keeps fielding questions about his own future, after recently admitting he can’t do this forever.
