NHL Expansion Rumors: Bill Daly Signals Houston or Austin by 2029-30

Texas Sized Expansion Plans for the NHL

Once again, NHL expansion is on the forefront, after the success of the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken. Now it seems the NHL has their sights firmly set on expansion in the Lone Star State. According to recent reporting from NHL insider Chris Johnston, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly has indicated the league is making significant progress toward the creation of a new team in either Austin or Houston. If the current trajectory remains, it is expected that there could be a brand new Texas team hitting the ice as early as the 2029-30 NHL season.

Breaking Down the Houston and Austin Markets 

This news, while not completely surprising, presents an opportunity for real growth of the game and represents a logical next step for the league. Houston has long been viewed as the ultimate untapped market for the NHL. Houston currently stands as the largest television market in the United States without a hockey team, and the Toyota Center is already an NHL ready building just waiting to be used. Austin offers a completely different but equally appealing dynamic for the league. Austin is a rapidly growing market with a rabid sports culture and tech money flowing through the local economy. Putting a second team in Texas would also create an instant, highly marketable rivalry with the Dallas Stars and tap into a potential gold mine for regional broadcasting revenue.

The Race for a 34th Franchise

The expansion conversation won’t stop at team number 33. Daly also made it clear that the NHL is actively engaged in discussions with other ownership groups interested in owning the 34th NHL franchise. Those conversations however are not nearly as advanced as the current negotiations in Texas, but they confirm Gary Bettman’s growth strategy. The league front office is clearly evaluating a 34 team league in the very near future, which naturally forces fans to wonder if markets like Atlanta, Quebec City, or even a return to Arizona are lingering in the background of these preliminary discussions.

The Path Forward

The race to the 2029-30 season is officially on. The NHL is clearly banking on the southern sports market continuing its massive upward trend, and a second Texas team feels like an absolute certainty at this stage of the process.

Do you think Houston or Austin is the better fit for the NHL, and what city do you want to see secure that 34th franchise?