The NHL could award Friedkin a Texas franchise by year’s end.
There has been a leak in the story of the possible addition of a franchise in Texas in the National Hockey League. Tom Friedkin, who is in some sort of exclusive talks with the NHL in an effort to bring another team to Texas, may be eyeing a site in Austin. According to the Austin Business Journal, Friedkin’s Pursuit Sports is evaluating the Travis County Exposition Center area with the possibility of building a 21st century state-of-the-arena somewhere within the 128 acre property. Friedkin’s Pursuit Sports is looking for a tract of land in both Houston and in Austin to build an arena. It is not known what other areas in Austin and in Houston that Pursuit Sports has evaluated.
It would be a major upset if Dan Friedkin didn’t get a National Hockey League franchise in Texas by the end of the year. The only thing that can stop it is Friedkin’s inability to build an arena in either Houston or Austin. Houston is the sixth largest television market in the United States. Austin is the 34th largest TV market although it is bigger than Columbus, Ohio and Las Vegas, two markets with franchises. If the NHL lands in Houston, it would be just another team in a crowded sports market. If the NHL ends up in Austin, it would compete with a Major League Soccer franchise but the University of Texas football team resides in the city and that team dominates Austin sports. The NHL would be at 33 teams if Texas is awarded a franchise. “They’re projecting the ability to start play in 2029-30,” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. Friedkin has to build an arena as part of the deal. Presently, neither Austin nor Houston have a building that would provide the financial wherewithal needed for a franchise.
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