Houston, October 5, 2025
News Summary
Dan Friedkin, CEO of The Friedkin Group, is a leading candidate for pursuing NHL expansion in Houston. With NHL officials engaged in discussions with Friedkin’s group, local organizers aim to create the necessary infrastructure and community support for a franchise. The Friedkin Group has an established sports ownership background, including ownership of AS Roma and Everton. Houston’s potential for a hockey team is highlighted by its large market size and growing fanbase, despite current challenges in hockey facilities.
Houston — American billionaire Dan Friedkin is a prominent ownership option for bringing the NHL to Houston. NHL officials have met with Friedkin’s business group as local organizers work to build the hockey infrastructure and community support needed for a potential expansion franchise.
Lead details
Friedkin is the CEO of The Friedkin Group, based in Houston. The Friedkin Group has an established sports ownership footprint. The Friedkin Group has acquired the Italian Serie A club AS Roma and majority ownership of the English Premier League club Everton. The group has demonstrated capacity to fund major stadium projects, and The Friedkin Group recently secured £350 million in funding for a new stadium for Everton.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that the league has met with The Friedkin Group regarding interest in a Houston expansion franchise. League leaders continue to evaluate markets and ownership groups while local stakeholders work to meet infrastructure needs.
League context and timing
The NHL recently completed expansion to 32 teams with the addition of the Seattle Kraken and earlier the Vegas Golden Knights. The expansion fees for recent teams were $500 million for Vegas and $650 million for Seattle. NHL leadership has said that future expansion is being considered but is not an immediate priority. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated that the topic of expansion is not currently a front-burner topic. League planning has included discussion of adding two clubs in a future expansion, with the possibility of staggering their start dates similar to past expansions.
Other candidate markets
Houston is among several cities identified for potential NHL interest. Atlanta is mentioned as another potential candidate for NHL expansion, along with Houston. NHL leadership has noted interest from multiple cities across the country. Bettman emphasized that the NHL has received interest from various cities including Omaha, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.
Why Houston is under consideration
Houston’s large market size and existing hockey audience, demonstrated by the success of the Dallas Stars, make it an attractive option for the NHL. Local organizers point to a growing base of players, fans, and youth development programs as evidence that Houston can support a major league team with the right ownership and facilities.
Local organizing and infrastructure
The Houston Hockey Community (HHC) is focused on building a passionate hockey culture to support the possibility of an NHL team. HHC has taken a grassroots approach to build visibility and engagement. HHC has organized events to promote hockey and engage the community, including the inaugural NHL Alumni Weekend featuring a celebrity gala and tournament.
HHC leadership identifies three primary requirements for NHL expansion eligibility at the local level. Key requirements cited by HHC for NHL expansion eligibility include having a franchise fee, a practice facility, and an arena. While Houston currently lacks a full set of NHL-ready facilities, progress is underway. Despite the lack of current facilities, plans are in progress to expand hockey access in Houston, including the development of an NHL-level facility in The Woodlands. HHC aims to align local investment with league expectations. HHC aims to secure local investment and support for hockey in Houston to align with NHL interests.
Outlook and next steps
Ownership engagement and facility development will be key determinants of whether Houston advances toward an NHL expansion bid. Friedkin’s group is viewed as a more viable option compared to previous discussions between the NHL and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta about owning a hockey team. Local organizers state that building a sustainable hockey culture is a multi-year effort. Both HHC leaders are committed to developing hockey in the city, regardless of immediate NHL plans.
FAQ
Who is a prominent ownership option for bringing the NHL to Houston?
American billionaire Dan Friedkin is a prominent ownership option for bringing the NHL to Houston.
What is Dan Friedkin’s role and where is his group based?
Friedkin is the CEO of The Friedkin Group, based in Houston.
What other sports clubs has The Friedkin Group acquired?
The Friedkin Group has acquired the Italian Serie A club AS Roma and majority ownership of the English Premier League club Everton.
Has The Friedkin Group funded any stadium projects?
The Friedkin Group recently secured £350 million in funding for a new stadium for Everton.
Have NHL officials met with The Friedkin Group about Houston?
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that the league has met with The Friedkin Group regarding interest in a Houston expansion franchise.
How does Friedkin’s group compare to previous local ownership discussions?
Friedkin’s group is viewed as a more viable option compared to previous discussions between the NHL and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta about owning a hockey team.
What has the NHL said about expansion timing?
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated that the topic of expansion is not currently a front-burner topic.
How many teams does the NHL currently have and what were recent expansion fees?
The NHL recently expanded to 32 teams with the addition of the Seattle Kraken and previously added the Vegas Golden Knights.
The expansion fees for recent teams were $500 million for Vegas and $650 million for Seattle.
Is Atlanta also being considered for expansion?
Atlanta is mentioned as another potential candidate for NHL expansion, along with Houston.
Which other cities have shown interest in NHL expansion?
Bettman emphasized that the NHL has received interest from various cities including Omaha, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.
Why is Houston attractive to the NHL?
Houston’s large market size and existing hockey audience, demonstrated by the success of the Dallas Stars, make it an attractive option for the NHL.
What is the Houston Hockey Community doing?
The Houston Hockey Community (HHC) is focused on building a passionate hockey culture to support the possibility of an NHL team.
HHC has organized events to promote hockey and engage the community, including the inaugural NHL Alumni Weekend featuring a celebrity gala and tournament.
What local requirements has HHC cited for expansion?
Key requirements cited by HHC for NHL expansion eligibility include having a franchise fee, a practice facility, and an arena.
Are facility plans progressing in Houston?
Despite the lack of current facilities, plans are in progress to expand hockey access in Houston, including the development of an NHL-level facility in The Woodlands.
What are HHC’s funding goals?
HHC aims to secure local investment and support for hockey in Houston to align with NHL interests.
Will HHC continue even if NHL expansion does not happen soon?
Both HHC leaders are committed to developing hockey in the city, regardless of immediate NHL plans.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Potential owner | American billionaire Dan Friedkin is a prominent ownership option for bringing the NHL to Houston. |
| Local organizer | The Houston Hockey Community (HHC) is focused on building a passionate hockey culture to support the possibility of an NHL team. |
| Recent expansion | The NHL recently expanded to 32 teams with the addition of the Seattle Kraken and previously added the Vegas Golden Knights. |
| Recent fees | The expansion fees for recent teams were $500 million for Vegas and $650 million for Seattle. |
| Facility plans | Despite the lack of current facilities, plans are in progress to expand hockey access in Houston, including the development of an NHL-level facility in The Woodlands. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Texas Sports Hall of Fame Gains National Attention
Additional Resources
- ESPN: Billionaire Friedkin Emerges as Potential NHL Owner for Houston
- Wikipedia: National Hockey League
- SI: Potential NHL Expansion in Houston Gaining Steam
- Google Search: NHL expansion Houston
- Houston Chronicle: NHL Team Public Support
- Google Scholar: NHL expansion Houston
- Chron: NHL Franchise and Houston Hockey Community
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NHL
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