Fertitta last February said that he "viewed an NHL team and the 41 home games it would bring as a way to boost the downtown economy"Troy Taormina/USA TODAY NETWORK
For the second time in more than a month, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta "has stated his interest in bringing an NHL team to Houston," according to Greg Rajan of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Fertitta, in an interview yesterday on CNBC’s “Power Lunch,” was asked about his pursuit of a hockey team as well as a WNBA franchise for Toyota Center and said he "would like to work to get an NHL team in Houston" and he was "working on it." When asked about the WNBA, which has not had a team in Houston since the Comets' run from 1997 to 2008, Fertitta said, “I would consider, definitely, I think it’s a great topic with women’s sports to talk about a WNBA team in Houston also." In late February, Fertitta said that he "viewed an NHL team and the 41 home games it would bring as a way to boost the downtown economy." Fertitta: “We are talking to the NHL, but it’s got to be good for both of us.” Rajan noted based on reports Wednesday, an expansion franchise "might have to be Fertitta’s route to getting a team." The reports noted that the NHL and Coyotes have "made 'significant and meaningful progress' on an agreement" to sell the franchise to Jazz owner Ryan Smith, who would "move the embattled team to Salt Lake City for the 2024-25 season" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/10).
