Dan Friedkin, the owner of Everton and Roma, is reportedly working on a deal worth more than $3b to take a new NHL franchise to Texas, according to a report from Italian outlet Calcio e Finanza.
The report describes a Texas-born billionaire pursuing an expansion bid into the National Hockey League, adding hockey to a portfolio that already takes in aviation, motorsport and, of course, two major European football clubs.
No location within the state or timeline for a decision has been disclosed, and the NHL has made no comment on any application.
Friedkin completed his takeover of Everton in December 2025, two years after taking majority control of Roma. The Friedkin Group’s other interests include the Gulf States Toyota distribution business, the Legacy Motor Club NASCAR team, and a travel and entertainment arm built up over several decades.
What it means for Everton
There’s nothing here that changes Everton’s immediate picture. David Moyes’s recruitment plans for the summer continue as before, and an NHL bid in Texas has no bearing on the club’s transfer business or budget.
What it does reinforce is the size of the operation now behind Everton. Friedkin’s willingness to commit billions to a new venture in an unrelated sport is the kind of detail supporters have watched closely since the takeover, as a rough guide to how the ownership group operates financially elsewhere.
ReadEverton will report on any Friedkin Group news that has a direct bearing on Everton, as detailed in the original report from Calcio e Finanza.
