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NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed Wednesday that Houston is the favorite to host the league's 33rd franchise, with an entry fee starting at two billion dollars. A statement that accelerates the expansion process, which had been expected for several months. The thirty-two team mark, crossed with Seattle's arrival in 2021, is already a thing of the past.
Interviewed on The Eye Test podcast, Daly specified that owners and the league are "primarily interested" in the Texas metropolis, without ruling out Austin. The tone has changed: after months of speculation, the vocabulary used by the NHL's number two betrays a real intention to move forward, possibly before the end of 2026.
Interviewed on The Eye Test podcast, Daly specified that owners and the league are "primarily interested" in the Texas metropolis, without ruling out Austin.
Houston, a solid case
Houston checks all the boxes. The city already has an arena meeting NHL standards, the Toyota Center, and a population base that would make the Texas franchise one of the most attractive on the circuit. The two billion dollar fee, confirmed by the league as early as April, shatters previous expansions: Las Vegas paid 500 million in 2017, Seattle 650 million in 2021. The inflation of the entry fee says everything about the NHL's financial health.
The Players' Association receives no share of these fees, which strengthens owners' appetite to accelerate the process. A 33rd club before December 2026 would pave the way for a 34th team by 2028, and that's where Atlanta enters the picture. The Georgia capital, which has already lost the Flames (1980) and the Thrashers (2011), dreams of a third attempt. Daly mentioned this possibility without closing it, fueling discussions about a return to balanced conferences.
A two-headed Texas?
Austin remains in the conversation, but the momentum leans clearly toward Houston. The natural rivalry with the Dallas Stars, access to a massive Hispanic market, and the presence of a credible potential owner weigh heavily. The timeline is becoming clearer: if the league awards the 33rd franchise by the end of the year, the club could join the NHL for the 2028-2029 season, allowing time to finalize identity, recruitment, and infrastructure.
This Texas expansion fits into a broader NHL strategy, seeking to consolidate its presence in the Southern United States while increasing the overall value of its franchises. With a constantly rising salary cap and exploding TV rights, owners see each new club as a profitable short-term operation and a strategic long-term bet. The question remains whether Houston can seize the opportunity and convince a Texas public historically focused on football and baseball.
The challenge is not minor. The NHL has already succeeded in non-traditional markets, from Nashville to Las Vegas to Florida, but Texas remains a territory dominated by football, baseball, and basketball. Convincing Houstonians to trade a Saturday afternoon tailgate for a hockey night will require more than a nice rink and a wealthy owner.