Houston Mayor John Whitmire has publicly asserted that his city is a more suitable location for a National Hockey League expansion franchise than Austin. The NHL is reportedly planning to add two new teams, with one slot expected to be in Texas.
Whitmire highlighted Houston's position as the largest media market in the United States currently without an NHL team. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly has previously indicated that market size is a significant factor in the league's expansion decisions. "We're ready. In fact, we're talking to multiple parties that are interested," Whitmire stated in an interview with The Sporting News. "So when we get a proposal, if the city can do something to a system, we'll be there. We'll definitely be a better location than Austin."
While Austin presents the opportunity for the NHL to be the first major professional sports league to establish a presence in the city, a strategy that proved successful in Las Vegas, Whitmire emphasized Houston's existing sports infrastructure and fan base. He suggested that Houston has proven itself to be a strong partner for sports franchises. "I think [the NHL] would never regret it if they gave a franchise to Houston. They'd never regret it," Whitmire said. "Austin is a great city, but it's not Houston... If you talk to the sports franchises in town, I think they'd tell you we're great partners."
Houston has not previously hosted an NHL team but was home to the Houston Aeros of the World Hockey Association in the 1970s. The city has also had minor league hockey teams since then. Austin has also hosted minor league hockey teams.
The league is considering other expansion candidates as well. Atlanta has been frequently mentioned as a potential destination for the league's 34th franchise, which would mark the team's third stint in the city. Atlanta is also a large media market, and there are currently competing arena development projects underway in its suburbs.