Roma’s ownership group, led by the Friedkin family, could be on the verge of a major expansion into North American sport, with a potential entry into the NHL, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The move would represent one of the most ambitious cross-sport investments by a European football ownership group in recent years.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed ongoing discussions, stating: “we’ve been talking to them about it for almost two years.” Reports suggest that the Friedkins are evaluating the creation of a new franchise in the United States, with Houston and Austin among the leading candidate cities for a second team in Texas. The proposed expansion would see the league grow to 33 teams.
According to the report, preliminary contracts are already in place for the new franchise, while The Friedkin Group is prepared to invest close to $3.5 billion to cover both the NHL entry fee and the construction of a new arena. With the financial framework reportedly secured, the final decision now centers on selecting the host city for what could become a landmark addition to the league.
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