NEW YORK — The NHL is exploring potential expansion to Texas with Houston and Austin among the many potentialities, an individual with information of the choice informed The Related Press on Tuesday.
The league’s Board of Governors had their annual post-Stanley Cup Closing and pre-draft assembly on Tuesday in New York. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of the expansion consideration had not been introduced. ESPN and Sportsnet had been first to report the transfer.
Whereas there isn’t any assure the NHL provides a thirty third crew, it’s a first step towards turning into the most important skilled sports activities league in North America, surpassing the NFL. Commissioner Gary Bettman in current years has been cautious to say officers had been listening to expressions of curiosity from potential house owners in locations like Houston and Atlanta however not but engaged in a proper path towards expansion.
The league final expanded to 32 with the Seattle Kraken starting play in 2021 after the Vegas Golden Knights began in the 2017-18 season. Earlier than that, there had been 30 groups since 2000, when Columbus and Minnesota entered.
The latest successes, mixed with booming franchise values throughout sports activities, spurred speak of expansion in hockey circles, particularly as a result of expansion charges might exceed $1 billion. Seattle paid $650 million and Las Vegas $500 million.
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