Houston officials talking with Texas billionaire as NHL decision nears

Houston and Austin have emerged as the leading candidates to land the NHL's 33rd franchise, with Houston officials from the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority recently engaging in talks with Pursuit Sports, the sports-and-entertainment arm of Texas billionaire Dan Friedkin's Friedkin Group. A public-private partnership is being explored to bring professional hockey to Houston. The report, published August 23, 2026, indicates Friedkin is expected to add an NHL franchise in Texas to his portfolio of professional sports teams.