Austin Might Land the NHL's 33rd Franchise

Austin is officially in the running for a multibillion-dollar investment that would include a new NHL franchise and arena.

The numbers:

• $2B expansion fee already agreed to by prospective owner Dan Friedkin's Pursuit Sports
• Roughly $3.5B total investment expected, including the franchise fee and construction of a new arena
• Austin and Houston are the two Texas markets under consideration
• The NHL could approve and announce the winning city by the end of 2026
• The new team could begin playing as early as the 2029-30 season

Houston remains the frontrunner, but Austin is still under serious consideration. The NHL launched a six-month evaluation of both cities in June, and commissioner Gary Bettman has said either market would require construction of a new arena.