NHL exploring expansion locations, Arizona not at forefront

The NHL is moving forward with a process to expand to either Houston or Texas, commissioner Gary Bettman told reporters after a Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday.

Arizona and Atlanta were discussed, but they are not “as far along” as the two Texas sites for a team.

“We have been in discussions for the better part of two years with the Friedkin family, principally for the last two years about Houston as an expansion opportunity,” Bettman said.

“But as we continued to focus with them, particularly on the need for a new arena in Houston, the discussions morphed into also a discussion about Austin, which would also need a new building. But we are going to work together under the terms, a term sheet that we were able to agree upon, in terms of a framework to consider what makes the most sense moving forward.”

Bettman said that if a conclusion is reached, there will be a vote from Board of Governors to expand, a process that is expected to unfold over the next six months.

The Arizona Coyotes played their last game on April 17, 2024, ending their run in the Valley that started in the 1996-97 season.

Bettman had expressed confidence that the NHL would return to Arizona after the Coyotes’ hockey assets were sold and relocated to Utah after a failed vote to secure a new arena site in Tempe. The Coyotes were playing at Arizona State University’s Mullett Arena with no clear future home. Owner Alex Meruelo turned his attention to a land auction in north Phoenix, which was later canceled. Meruelo eventually relinquished the rights to the Coyotes.

“This is a place where we think hockey works,” Bettman said at the time.

NHL would have 33 teams if expanded

The league last expanded to 32 teams with the Seattle Kraken beginning play in 2021 after the Vegas Golden Knights started in the 2017-18 season. Before that, there had been 30 teams since 2000.

The total investment required between an expansion fee and the cost to build a new arena in one of those cities would amount to $3.5 billion, according to Bettman.

Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson, who is on the executive committee, called it an important decision and said, “It’s just an exploration at this stage.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Related

Diamondbacks top pick Ryder Helfrick gets major league preview: ‘It was unreal’USHL announces 2 expansion teams coming to ArizonaCoyotes legend Keith Tkachuk elected to Hockey Hall of Fame after sons become teammatesToronto Maple Leafs win the lottery for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL DraftMaple Leafs hiring John Chayka as new GM is ‘like a nightmare’ from Shane Doan’s pastArizona Coyotes fans trying to keep connection with franchise after its move to Utah