HOUSTON, Texas — The NHL is looking to start the expansion process in Texas, with Austin and Houston as potential targets, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

The expansion news is being discussed at the NHL’s board of governors meeting, which is being held on Tuesday in New York.

The NHL went from 30 to 32 clubs when it added the Vegas Golden Knights (began play in 2017-18) and Seattle Kraken (debuted in 2021-22). The expansion fee for Vegas was $500 million and for Seattle was $650 million.

Earlier this month at the Stanley Cup Final, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reiterated that the league has fielded calls from across North America from prospective cities and owners who are interested in bringing in an NHL franchise.

SEE HERE: It’s official: Aeros hockey team leaving Houston at end of season

Bettman has previously told the board of governors that any potential expansion team would likely come with at least a $2 billion fee for it to make sense.

The league has seen record revenues this season — projected to be between $7.5 billion and $8 billion. The NHL salary cap is set at $104 million for the 2026-27 season, a $8.5 million increase from this past season.

AUSTIN, Texas – Barton Springs Pool will reopen to visitors this week.

What they’re saying:

The City of Austin said the pool will reopen on Tuesday, June 23, for the early morning regularly scheduled “swim at your own risk.”

The pool had closed on June 15 due to severe weather. 

City staff removed large tree branches, aluminum cans, fishing hooks, and other debris from the water.

The team also cleaned off decks and reinstalled the diving board in preparation for the pool’s reopening.