NHL Post Bettman: Team Return

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Post on Jan 25, 2025

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NHL Post-Bettman Era: Will Team Return on Investment Ever Be the Same?

Okay, folks, let's talk hockey. Specifically, let's talk about the NHL after Gary Bettman. Yeah, I know, it's a HUGE topic, and honestly, kinda scary to even think about. The guy's been commissioner for, like, forever, right? But he can't be around forever. So, what's gonna happen to the teams, their value, and – most importantly – our beloved hockey? That's what I wanna dive into.

My Own Little Hockey Heartbreak (and some lessons learned)

I'll never forget 2004. I was, like, 10, totally obsessed with the lockout. I mean, I lived and breathed hockey. My entire allowance – every single penny – went to buying hockey cards. I had a massive collection, seriously, and I was super proud of it. I thought my collection was worth a small fortune! I even started “investing” in rookies, thinking they’d be worth a bundle someday. Remember those early Crosby cards? Man, I wish I still had those!

The lockout absolutely crushed me. Games were canceled, my favorite players were scattered to the winds, and worst of all, my parents finally convinced me that my hockey card "investment" was, in reality, a hobby that wasn't exactly gonna make me rich. The value of the cards plummeted, and while I didn’t exactly lose money (Mom and Dad kept them for me… bless their hearts!), it taught me a valuable lesson: market volatility is a real thing, even in hockey.

This experience stuck with me, especially now, thinking about the future of the NHL post-Bettman.

The Bettman Era: A Mixed Bag

Look, I'm not gonna lie, Bettman's era has been...complicated. On one hand, he oversaw massive expansion, got the league's salary cap in place, and navigated several lockouts (ugh!). On the other hand, those lockouts cost fans big time, and you can't ignore that. The league's financial health has undoubtedly improved under his watch, but is that improvement sustainable? Is the ROI of team ownership really as great as it appears? There's a lot of uncertainty there, you know?

The rise of the salary cap changed everything. It leveled the playing field (to a degree) and created more competitive balance. Before that, a few super-rich teams could just buy all the best players, leaving other teams in the dust. The cap introduced a crucial element of strategic planning for team owners, limiting their spending and forcing them to make tough decisions.

The expansion into places like Vegas and Seattle were risky moves. Vegas, particularly, had everyone scratching their heads. But those expansions paid off spectacularly. New markets mean new fans, increased revenue streams, and higher team valuations.

What Happens Next?

Predicting the future of the NHL is like predicting the weather in Canada: it's impossible to do with any real accuracy! However, I think the next commissioner will face several key challenges:

• Maintaining league profitability and balancing team ownership returns: The expansion strategy has been successful, but it has also increased the competition for revenue. Can those revenue streams continue to grow at a pace that justifies the ever-increasing team values?
• Addressing fan concerns and fostering a positive relationship with fans: That's a big one, you know. Lockouts have really tarnished the league's image with a lot of fans. The next commissioner needs to build trust.
• The future of the salary cap and revenue sharing: A key element of the modern NHL, maintaining a fair system will be crucial. It will also determine how competitive the league is.

Investing in the Future (of Hockey)

My hockey card debacle taught me the hard way about the unpredictability of investments. Even something as seemingly stable as a beloved hockey team can see its value shift dramatically. But that doesn’t mean we should give up on hockey – quite the opposite!

The NHL is a powerful entertainment product. I believe in its future. It might be different post-Bettman. Things may change. But the game itself? The passion? That's something that will likely always endure. Maybe it’s time to start focusing on other ways to invest – time, effort, maybe even a second-hand stick. Because, no matter what, the game will go on.