Hockey business is booming as the NHL bounces back from the pandemic in a big way
NEW YORK (AP) — Arenas are full, the NHL is a fixture on TV screens across North America, highlight-reel goals are talking points on a near-daily basis and “The Pat McAfee Show” even has a segment called “Hockey is Awesome.”
Piece it all together, and more eyes are on the puck than ever before with the playoffs beginning this weekend.
Business is booming for the NHL, which has bounced back in a major way from the pandemic. Backstopped by new media rights deals, digital dasher boards and helmet and jersey ads, and buoyed by an overlap of generational stars, ratings are up, attendance set a record and revenue is at an all-time high — an estimated $6.2 billion annually.
“The league is going through a bit of a renaissance,” said Tom Gargiulo, chief marketing officer at Bodyarmor, whose deal to be the league’s sports drink is the latest sponsorship agreement inked in recent years. “This sport is moving into the next phase of its evolution and is on a tremendous trajectory.”
Related articles
Missouri candidate with ties to the KKK can stay on the Republican ballot, judge rules
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A longshot Missouri gubernatorial candidat e with ties to the Ku Klux Kla2024-05-19EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: How Pippa Middleton revealed Kate's secret chutney recipe
Jam maker Meghan isn't the only royal producer of preserves. Kate makes a mean chutney, a jar of whi2024-05-19ALISON BOSHOFF: Robert Downey Jr's got his Oscar
He just won an Oscar, and is being tipped to scoop an Emmy for his performance in the new TV drama s2024-05-19Andy Murray back on practice court after confirming no surgery for ankle injury
LONDON (AP) — Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray has returned to the practice court after co2024-05-19What to do when facing extended summer power outages
Texas officials say power outages could last weeks in parts of Houston after thunderstorms with hurr2024-05-19Key ally of Pakistan's prime minister demands end to ban on social media platform X
ISLAMABAD (AP) — An important ally of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif demanded the governmen2024-05-19
atest comment