The National Hockey League is preparing for a major expansion move in the United States, with Texas emerging as the next potential market for a new franchise. At the centre of the project is Everton FC owner Dan Friedkin, who has secured exclusive rights to develop a new NHL team in the state.
texas becomes the next nhl frontier
The proposed expansion would see a new franchise based either in Houston or Austin, marking the second NHL team in Texas alongside the Dallas Stars.
According to the report, the expansion fee alone could exceed $3.5 billion, with total investment also covering arena construction and wider infrastructure development for the new franchise.
Friedkin’s growing sports portfolio
Dan Friedkin has significantly expanded his influence in global sports ownership in recent years. Through his investment group, he controls AS Roma in Italy, Everton in England, and AS Cannes in France, building a multi-club, multi-sport investment portfolio.
With an estimated net worth of around $11.5 billion, Friedkin is increasingly positioned among the most influential private investors in global sport.
Houston vs Austin decision looms
Both Houston and Austin are under consideration as potential host cities. Houston offers a deep-rooted sports market and large metropolitan scale, while Austin has rapidly grown into a major economic and cultural hub with a younger fan base.
Friedkin’s camp has emphasized that both cities possess strong infrastructure and the economic capacity to support a top-tier NHL franchise.
NHL’s expansion strategy accelerates
The National Hockey League has been actively pursuing market expansion across North America as part of its long-term growth strategy, focusing on increasing media revenue, sponsorship value, and regional fan bases.
A successful Texas expansion would represent one of the league’s most significant financial moves in decades, reinforcing the growing commercialization of North American sports leagues.
Conclusion
Friedkin’s exclusive rights agreement highlights the increasing convergence between elite football ownership and North American franchise sports expansion. If completed, the project could mark a new milestone in both NHL growth and the broader trend of multi-club, multi-league sports investment models.