Story perspectives

NHL to pursue Texas 33rd franchise with $2B fee

8/23/2026

Summary

NHL Targets Texas

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly announced the league will pursue a 33rd franchise in Texas.
Pursuit Sports, owned by Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin, will pay a $2 billion expansion fee.
The league expects to name the Texas franchise’s location by the end of 2026.
The team is projected to start play in the 2029-30 season.
Adding a 33rd club would make the NHL the largest of the North American big-four leagues.

Summary

NHL Realignment

The NHL now holds the Arizona Coyotes’ intellectual property after Alex Meruelo returned the rights.
Reactivating the Coyotes could force league realignment because a Texas franchise would add another Central Division club.
A proposal suggests moving the Nashville Predators to the Eastern Conference to balance divisions after a Texas addition.
Shifting the Colorado Avalanche to the Pacific Division could improve its playoff odds by facing weaker opponents.

History

Historical Context

The November 17–22, 1993 passage of NAFTA opened trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico, sparking a wave of cross-border investment that prompted major sports leagues to look beyond traditional markets. Against that backdrop, the NHL is evaluating a 33rd franchise in Texas, a step that could reshape conference alignments and extend the league’s footprint.

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NHL Targets Texas

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly announced the league will pursue a 33rd franchise in Texas.
Pursuit Sports, owned by Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin, will pay a $2 billion expansion fee.
The league expects to name the Texas franchise’s location by the end of 2026.
The team is projected to start play in the 2029-30 season.
Adding a 33rd club would make the NHL the largest of the North American big-four leagues.

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