Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin, with a net worth of $7.8 billion, emerged as a leading candidate to bring an NHL expansion team to Houston, following discussions with the league, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
As the CEO of The Friedkin Group, Friedkin already owns European soccer clubs AS Roma and Everton FC, and his pursuit of an NHL franchise could reshape Houston’s sports landscape.
This article delves into the financial aspects of Friedkin’s potential NHL deal, his wealth and earnings, the economic implications for Houston, and the broader impact of his sports empire on the city’s future.
🔍 Key Facts of Dan Friedkin’s NHL Pursuit
The Friedkin Group, led by Dan Friedkin, has engaged in multiple meetings with the NHL to explore bringing an expansion team to Houston, as confirmed by NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly in a March 2025 email to ESPN.
Friedkin, a 60-year-old Rice University graduate, oversees a conglomerate with $13.3 billion in 2023 revenue, primarily from Gulf States Toyota, which distributes vehicles to 160 dealerships across five states. His sports portfolio includes a $700 million acquisition of AS Roma in 2020 and a $50 million purchase of Everton FC’s 98.8% stake in September 2024, plus $350 million in funding for Everton’s new stadium. The Chronicle reported Friedkin’s interest in the NBA’s Boston Celtics in 2025, which sold for $6.1 billion, signaling his ambition for American sports.
Houston, the fifth-largest U.S. metro area, is a prime NHL expansion target, with David Steadman, founder of Houston Hockey Community, emphasizing the need for community support to attract a team. Tilman Fertitta, Houston Rockets owner with a $9.1 billion net worth, previously discussed NHL ownership but was overshadowed by Friedkin’s stronger financial position.
The NHL’s last expansions, Vegas (2017, $500 million fee) and Seattle (2021, $650 million fee), suggest a Houston franchise could cost $1–$1.5 billion, per industry estimates. Friedkin’s group has not commented, but Daly noted expansion isn’t a “front-burner topic” as the NHL prioritizes a new CBA by April 2026.
💸 Money Angle: Financial Stakes and Wealth
Dan Friedkin’s Financial Portfolio
Net Worth Overview: Dan Friedkin’s net worth is estimated at $7.8 billion as of December 2024, per Forbes, ranking him No. 411 globally. His wealth, up from $6.4 billion in 2024, stems from The Friedkin Group’s diverse ventures, including automotive, hospitality, entertainment, and sports.
Earnings and Contracts: The Friedkin Group, founded by Thomas Friedkin in 1969, generated $13.3 billion in 2023 revenue, with Gulf States Toyota contributing $10.9 billion (82%), per Bloomberg. The automotive arm, distributing to 160 dealerships, saw $8.8 billion in 2021 revenue despite supply chain issues. Friedkin’s sports investments include AS Roma ($700 million, 2020) and Everton ($50 million, 2024, plus $350 million stadium funding).
His entertainment ventures, via Imperative Entertainment and Neon, produced films like Killers of the Flower Moon (2023, $200 million budget) and Parasite (2019, $11 million budget), yielding $500,000–$1 million in personal earnings annually. Hospitality arm Auberge Resorts, acquired in 2013, generates $1–$2 billion yearly across 26 properties. After taxes (37% federal, 3% FICA/Medicare) and operational costs, Friedkin’s net annual income is estimated at $200–$300 million.
Tilman Fertitta’s Financial Portfolio
Net Worth Overview: Tilman Fertitta, a rival Houston billionaire, has a net worth of $9.1 billion in 2025, per Forbes, ranking No. 300 globally. His wealth derives from Fertitta Entertainment, including Landry’s restaurants, Golden Nugget casinos, and the Houston Rockets.
Earnings and Contracts: Fertitta acquired the Rockets in 2017 for $2.2 billion, with the franchise now valued at $4.7 billion, per Forbes 2025. Landry’s, with 600+ locations, generates $2.5 billion annually, while Golden Nugget casinos add $1 billion. Fertitta’s hospitality ventures, including The Post Oak Hotel, contribute $500 million yearly. His 2019 reality show Billion Dollar Buyer earned $1–$2 million. After taxes (40–45%) and fees, his net annual income is $150–$250 million. Fertitta’s NHL talks stalled due to Friedkin’s deeper sports ownership experience, but his wealth makes him a viable future candidate.
Financial Impact of an NHL Deal
An NHL franchise in Houston could cost $1–$1.5 billion, based on recent expansion fees (Vegas: $500 million, Seattle: $650 million). Friedkin’s $7.8 billion net worth and $13.3 billion in group revenue position him to absorb this cost, potentially funding it through cash reserves (~$2 billion liquidity, per Bloomberg) or loans.
The Friedkin Group’s $350 million Everton stadium investment suggests capacity for large-scale projects. However, AS Roma’s $216 million loss in 2020–21 and Everton’s debt concerns highlight risks, with a Houston team requiring $50–$100 million annually for operations, per Sportsnet.
For Houston, the economic benefits could be substantial. A 2023 Harris County-Houston Sports Authority report estimates an NHL team could generate $200–$300 million in annual economic impact, including $50 million in tax revenue, 2,000–3,000 jobs, and $100 million in tourism from 41 home games.
However, risks include infrastructure costs ($500 million for a new arena or Toyota Center upgrades) and market saturation, with Houston already hosting the Rockets, Astros, and Texans. Fan support, as noted by David Steadman, is critical to avoid losses like AS Roma’s $216 million.
📈 Career or Performance Background
Dan Friedkin, born February 27, 1965, in San Diego, inherited Gulf States Toyota from his father, Thomas Friedkin, becoming CEO at 35 in 1995. A Georgetown and Rice graduate, he expanded The Friedkin Group into sports (AS Roma, 2020, Everton, 2024), entertainment (Imperative Entertainment, Neon), and hospitality (Auberge Resorts).
His stunt piloting in Dunkirk (2017) earned a Taurus Stunt Award, and he produced Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). Friedkin’s conservation work, including the $100 million Powderhorn Ranch purchase in 2014, earned him a 2011 Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission chair role, though his push for renewable energy restrictions via Stewards of Texas, founded in 2024, has drawn criticism.
Tilman Fertitta, born June 25, 1957, in Galveston, built Fertitta Entertainment through restaurants and casinos. A University of Houston dropout, he bought the Rockets in 2017 for $2.2 billion, leveraging his $9.1 billion empire.
His NHL interest, reported in 2025, faded against Friedkin’s sports ownership track record, but Fertitta’s hospitality expertise could support a future bid. His philanthropy, including $50 million to Houston charities, bolsters his local influence.
🌟 Brand, Influence & Culture Impact
Friedkin’s NHL pursuit has ignited excitement on X, with posts like, “Dan Friedkin bringing hockey to Houston would be massive!” Emily Kaplan’s March 2025 ESPN report sparked buzz, amplified by Friedkin’s ownership of AS Roma and Everton. However, Roma fans’ “Yankee go home” protests in 2024 after Daniele De Rossi’s dismissal highlight risks of mismanagement, with X users warning, “Friedkin better not mess up Houston like Roma.” Fertitta’s local popularity, tied to the Rockets and The Post Oak, gives him an edge in fan trust, but his NHL bid lacks traction, per X sentiment.
Houston’s sports culture, dominated by football and basketball, may embrace hockey, with Steadman noting growing youth participation. The NHL’s surge in popularity, per AP News, supports a Houston team, but market competition risks diluting fan bases.
Friedkin’s $13 billion conglomerate and $350 million Everton investment signal credibility, yet his anti-renewable energy stance, tied to a $10,000–$50,000 lobbying campaign, could alienate eco-conscious fans.
📌 The Distinct Athlete Angle
Dan Friedkin’s pursuit of an NHL team reflects Distinct Athlete’s focus on wealth and leadership in sports. His $7.8 billion net worth and $13.3 billion in revenue dwarf Tilman Fertitta’s $9.1 billion, positioning Friedkin as Houston’s best shot for hockey.
The potential $200–$300 million economic boost could transform Houston, but risks like $500 million in arena costs and Roma’s $216 million loss underscore the need for prudent management. Unlike the NFLPA’s financial missteps, Friedkin’s global sports expertise offers hope, urging Houston to rally behind a franchise that could redefine its athletic identity.
Conclusion
Dan Friedkin’s July 18, 2025, pursuit of an NHL team, backed by his $7.8 billion net worth and $13.3 billion conglomerate, positions Houston as a top expansion candidate. Tilman Fertitta’s $9.1 billion empire, including the $4.7 billion Rockets, makes him a rival, but Friedkin’s sports ownership edge prevails.
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