NHL Mulls 33rd Franchise in Austin or Houston as TV Market Push Grows
The league is weighing a 33rd team for either Austin or Houston, with a $2 billion expansion fee, as it prepares for a new TV rights deal.
League deputy commissioner Bill Daly disclosed that the NHL is close to selecting a 33rd club for either Austin or Houston, with a $2 billion expansion fee already pledged by Daniel Friedkin’s Pursuit Sports group. This amount is roughly three times what Seattle paid for the Kraken, yet it aligns with the dramatic rise in team valuations, many now exceeding $2 billion. The NHL views the addition of a franchise in the No. 6 U.S. media market as a strategic move to strengthen its bargaining position for a new television contract that will begin after the 2027-28 season.
Current broadcast revenue from Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery totals about $625 million annually, and future deals could be shaped by streaming partners and broader industry consolidation. Beyond Austin and Houston, the league is also evaluating Phoenix and Atlanta for a possible 34th team, despite those cities’ earlier NHL setbacks. The expansion drive reflects the league’s broader effort to grow its footprint in large, untapped TV markets while balancing competitive and financial considerations.
Why it matters
Adding teams in big TV markets could boost the NHL's future broadcast revenue and league growth.
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