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NHL Board Discusses Possible Expansion to Austin and Houston
The NHL discussed adding teams in Austin and Houston at its board of governors meeting Tuesday in New York, sources told ESPN. Commissioner Gary Bettman noted interest from prospective owners across North America and said any new team would likely require a fee of at least $2 billion.
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The NHL is considering beginning an expansion process that would add teams in Austin and Houston, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. The topic was discussed at the league's board of governors meeting held that day in New York. The NHL expanded from 30 to 32 clubs with the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights, which began play in the 2017-18 season, and the Seattle Kraken, which debuted in the 2021-22 season.
The expansion fee was $500 million for Vegas and $650 million for Seattle. Earlier this month at the Stanley Cup Final, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the league has received calls from prospective cities and owners across North America interested in an NHL franchise. Bettman has previously told the board that any new team would likely require an expansion fee of at least $2 billion.
The NHL has recorded revenues this season projected between $7.5 billion and $8 billion. The salary cap is set at $104 million for the 2026-27 season, an increase of $8.5 million from the prior year.
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