NHL governors take no action on Texas expansion after first briefing
The short version
- Board of Governors discussed Houston/Austin expansion but made no decision and set no vote timetable.
- Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly received a full report from Dan Friedkin's group last week.
- Expansion would involve roughly $3.5 billion in fees and arena costs; three-quarters of governors must approve.
- Bettman expects a preferred market to be known by year's end; next board meeting is in December.
- Interest also exists from Atlanta and Phoenix-area ownership groups, but those efforts are less advanced.
The NHL Board of Governors discussed a potential Houston or Austin franchise with the Friedkin ownership group but reached no decision and set no vote timetable.
The NHL Board of Governors met Tuesday for the first time since the league began exploring expansion to Houston or Austin, Texas, in June. Commissioner Gary Bettman said no decisions were made, and there is no schedule for a vote on adding a 33rd franchise.
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly met last week with a group led by billionaire Dan Friedkin and received a full report, which was shared with representatives of the league's 32 current clubs. Bettman described owners as waiting to weigh the arguments before committing to such a large move.
"Expansion is a multibillion-dollar transaction, which has an impact on all the other clubs in the league," Bettman said, noting that three-quarters of the governors would need to be convinced before any expansion is approved.
Friedkin's Pursuit Sports has explored arena sites in both Houston and Austin. An expansion effort would involve roughly $3.5 billion combining the expansion fee and arena construction costs. Bettman said the league expects to know which market the group prefers by the end of the year, though a six-month exploration term sheet does not guarantee a resolution by then.
The next board meeting is scheduled for December. Bettman and Daly also said groups in Atlanta and the Phoenix area continue to express interest, though those efforts are not as advanced as the Texas process.