government
Houston, Austin in consideration for NHL expansion franchise
By Michael Horton, Randy McIlvoy at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 23, 2026
· 3 min read
The National Hockey League has taken a major step toward expanding into Texas, with Houston and Austin emerging as the leading candidates for a new franchise.Following Tuesday’s NHL Board of Governors meeting in New York, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league has approved the process...
Key takeaway Following Tuesday’s NHL Board of Governors meeting in New York, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league has approved the process for a new expansion team in Texas.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The possibility of an NHL expansion franchise in Houston or Austin brings significant economic implications for the region. A new team would likely attract substantial investment in infrastructure, such as a state-of-the-art arena, and create jobs in construction, hospitality, and sports management. Additionally, the presence of a professional hockey team could boost local businesses, particularly in the entertainment and tourism sectors. For Piney Point Village residents, the potential benefits of a nearby NHL team include increased access to professional sports events and potential partnerships between the team and local organizations. As the Friedkin family evaluates Houston and Austin, residents of Piney Point Village will be watching closely to see how this development could impact their community and the broader Houston area. The team's potential presence could also lead to increased collaboration between local governments and the franchise, potentially driving growth and development in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The National Hockey League has taken a major step toward expanding into Texas, with Houston and Austin emerging as the leading candidates for a new franchise.Following Tuesday’s NHL Board of Governors meeting in New York, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league has approved the process...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Michael Horton, Randy McIlvoy at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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