Dan Friedkin explores NHL expansion team in Houston, Texas

Dan Friedkin, the owner of Everton Football Club, is reportedly in talks to purchase a new NHL expansion franchise. This comes after his group, the Friedkin Group, missed out on buying the Boston Celtics last week. Friedkin's company, which also owns AS Roma, has a diverse business portfolio that includes car dealerships and media. Although they do not have a presence in North American sports yet, this could change soon. The NHL is considering expanding from its current 32 teams, and Houston, where Friedkin's company is based, is a strong candidate for a new team. Bill Daly, the NHL's deputy commissioner, confirmed that Friedkin is a potential buyer for a Houston franchise. The anticipated price for new teams is expected to be around $1 billion, following recent record expansions in the league. While the NHL has not officially announced plans for expansion, there is interest in adding more teams in the U.S. Friedkin has already made significant changes at Everton, including hiring manager David Moyes and new CEO Angus Kinnear. The Friedkin Group has also secured a refinancing deal worth £350 million to help address the club's debt, potentially saving millions in interest payments each year.