NHL Considers Expansion in Texas Cities: Austin and Houston

The NHL’s most recent round of expansion featured teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken. This process proved successful, leading to the idea of expanding beyond 32 teams. According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the league is considering Austin and Houston for the next expansion.

The NHL’s board of governors met in New York City to discuss potential expansion locations. This discussion signals a strong interest in expanding to Texas, which currently hosts the Dallas Stars as its sole NHL team.

Other cities like Atlanta, Arizona, Quebec City, and even a second team in Toronto are part of the ongoing expansion talks. However, the league seems particularly interested in Texas, the second-largest state, home only to the Dallas Stars in NHL terms.

“Austin and Houston both have a rich hockey history,” Kaplan noted. Austin’s Texas Stars, an AHL team affiliated with the Dallas Stars, play in a city suburb. Houston has seen different iterations of the Houston Aeros, with the WHA version once featuring the legendary Gordie Howe and his sons, Marty and Mark.

Expanding into Austin or Houston presents two distinct opportunities. Austin is currently the largest market without a team from any of the four major North American leagues. Being the first professional sports league in Austin could follow the success seen in Las Vegas. Conversely, Houston offers a large TV market, but faces challenges competing with the established Astros, Rockets, and Texans for fans’ attention and financial support.

Expansion involves significant factors, such as the substantial $2 billion expansion fee. Yet, the interest remains clear as the NHL gets serious about broadening its reach.