Dan Friedkin's bid for an NHL team in Texas is taking a major step forward

The NHL has made it clear that Friedkin's approach to landing the league's 33rd franchise has stood out from past expansion bids.

Billionaire owner of AS Roma and Everton, Friedkin has been methodical in laying the groundwork for a Texas franchise, and league officials have taken notice of just how far along the process already is compared to previous cities that have pursued a team.

The six month evaluation window opened back in June, giving both Houston and Austin a chance to make their case.

Houston has long been considered the frontrunner given its size, its history with the sport and the fact that Friedkin's group is already based there.

Austin's addition to the conversation came later and has been viewed by some as a way to create leverage for arena funding and infrastructure deals, though others see it as a legitimate market the league wants to evaluate seriously.

Neither city currently has an arena that meets NHL standards, which remains one of the biggest pieces still being sorted out.

The full investment from Friedkin's group, covering the expansion fee and a new building, is expected to land somewhere around 3.5 billion dollars.

If the league moves forward, it would mark the first NHL team in the state and give the sport a foothold in one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

Houston has been the largest city in North America without a franchise for decades, so the timeline alone is a significant step.

League officials have suggested a full presentation is still weeks away, with more clarity expected before any formal vote takes place.

For now, all signs point to Houston holding the edge, but Austin has not been ruled out.

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