The NHL leadership is working on the World Cup. He wants to organize it in the middle of the season – ŠPORT.SK

today 09:45 | The leadership of the overseas NHL hockey expects record revenues this season. League Commissioner Gary Bettman attributes them to an increase in the number of goals, which has been reflected in increased television viewing and an overall increased interest in hockey. Also read the Stanley Cup will definitely not come to Russia this year. NHL management will not allow it Bettman presented the annual state of the competition before the first duel of the NHL playoff final between Colorado and Tampa Bay (4: 3 pp). He estimated that league revenues for 2021/2022 should exceed 5.2 billion US dollars. According to Bettman, this is a very conservative estimate. “We have been able to stabilize our business and our strength. This does not mean that we have not faced challenging challenges and that we have not had to adapt, but we have done everything we can to get through them,” AP’s head of profilig quoted him as saying. According to Bettman, the competition is gradually returning to normal. In the last season before the pandemic (2018/2019), revenues reached $ 4.6 billion, then the spreading coronavirus significantly affected the competition, which, unlike other professional leagues overseas, relies heavily on attendance matches in arenas and sales. tickets. And he suffered during the pandemic. “I am pleased to say that things have returned to normal after two and a half years,” Bettman said contentedly. New television contracts with ESPN and Turner Sports have also helped the league this season. However, despite these positive economic reports, the competition management does not expect a significant increase in the salary cap in the next two to three seasons. It should rise by only one million to $ 82.5 million next year. Bettman is pleased with the overall increase in goals, with an average of 6.26 goals per game in the regular season being the highest since the 1992/1993 season. “Everything we do about hockey from a business point of view is only important if our sport is healthy on the ice. And hockey is healthy on the ice. With the number of young rising stars and the balance of competition, we outperform all other major leagues. in the basics and it gives us unpredictable playoff battles, “added Bettman. WORLD CUP IDEAL CENTER FOR THE SEASON The competition also continues to talk to representatives of the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) and the International Hockey Federation (IIHF) about the organization of the World Cup in 2024. The aim is to hold an event in February, in the middle of the season, according to the commissioner. Bill Daly has many obstacles: “Our priority is to hold the World Cup in February, in terms of long-term success, it is important that it takes place at this stage of the season. We will see if we need to reconsider this date.” The last World Cup was held in September 2016. The winner was Canada, who defeated Team Europe 3: 1 and 2: 1 in the final. It was the third annual national tournament with the biggest NHL stars after the 1996 and 2004 events, which also took place before the start of the season. The predecessor of the World Cup was the Canadian Cup, which has taken place five times in the past.