The National Hockey League (NHL) is reportedly considering expansion to one of two major Texas cities: Austin and Houston. According to a report from ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the league’s board of governors discussed this possibility at a meeting in New York City.
Expansion Opportunities
Both cities have some hockey history. Austin has been home to minor league teams, including the current Texas Stars, Dallas’ AHL affiliate. Houston has been home to a few different iterations of the Houston Aeros, with the most notable being the World Hockey Association version in the 1970s, which featured Gordie Howe.
The NHL’s last round of expansion was successful, and the league is looking to build on that momentum. The expansion process is expected to be competitive, with a rumored $2 billion expansion fee. The league will need to find a suitable owner and a viable market for the new team.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.