What’s so wrong about adding more advertising?

A semi-serious look at ways the NHL and the New York Rangers could make more money

There’s no denying the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the economy. Some of the hardest hit industries are those that need to have people in seats.  Live theater, concerts and sports have been crippled.  While some teams like the New York Rangers have deep pockets and other revenue sources, everyone is looking for new ways to make money.

The estimate is that each NHL team will lose $1.31 million in ticket sales for each home game with no fans.  Add in about another half million in concessions and merchandise and that’s $1.5 million in lost revenue per game.  Over a regular season and not including playoffs that’s over $60 million.

Let’s remember that at least a few owners were in favor of cancelling the 2021 season entirely, rather than take the loss.

Recently, Elliotte Friedman of TSN reported that the NHL Board of Governors discussed adding advertising to the players’ helmets.

The reaction was predictable, the end of hockey as we know it.

Before the purists have coronaries, it’s an idea worth considering.  Look at it this way.  The NHL is a partnership between the players and the owners with a revenue split.  The players get their share in salary and the owners from ticket sales, concessions and TV rights.  Generate more revenue and things like the salary cap can actually increase.

So, anything the league can do to increase revenue is a good idea.