Conference Board economists predict Canada could support three more NHL teams

[getbak]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Canadian TV revenue should increase, shared by all.

NHL Revenue sharing (although currently significantly less than other pro leagues - that will continue to grow)

Canadian TV Revenue is locked-in for the next 12 years.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by getbak

Canadian TV Revenue is locked-in for the next 12 years.

Right. Wasn't implying immediate returns I guess.
Long term economic health of the league depends on the health of individual franchises - and I think there is solid evidence to indicate that viable Canadian centres would therefore be better choices for the league moving into the future.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

The study says "could support". Not "will get", "not they are on the radar", not "3 Canadian cities getting franchises", the study is just basically fishing. Could 3 more teams in Canada work? Yes it may but NHL has no interest in this and never will. One, maybe, two not likely, three, never. There are markets that could support three more, but the league would rather pour money into Phenoix then move them to a real hockey market.

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Its not about ratings, it's about revenue.
The seven Canadian franchises rank in the top 16 according to Forbes valuation, and in the top 14 in operating income.
It makes strong business sense to expand/relocate into Canada.

http://www.forbes.com/nhl-valuations/list/

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for NHL owners is big TV revenue from a major U.S. network. That is the driving force behind their long-term strategy. That's why Phoenix is so important (13th largest market in the U.S.). And it's why the NHL board of governors is lukewarm about more Canadian teams - it does nothing to increase the number of households for NBC to sell advertising to.

This list is the master plan of the NHL.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for NHL owners is big TV revenue from a major U.S. network. That is the driving force behind their long-term strategy. That's why Phoenix is so important (13th largest market in the U.S.). And it's why the NHL board of governors is lukewarm about more Canadian teams - it does nothing to increase the number of households for NBC to sell advertising to.

This list is the master plan of the NHL.

Yeah, just can't see it legitimately happening, ever.
Hockey is still pretty much a regional sport in the U.S. and there doesn't seem to be indications of that changing. I know NBC ratings are up some this year, but

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Yeah, just can't see it legitimately happening, ever.
Hockey is still pretty much a regional sport in the U.S. and there doesn't seem to be indications of that changing. I know NBC ratings are up some this year, but

I agree. But big TV $$$$ is the fantasy that every NHL owner cherishes. Sadly, that fantasy isn't going away anytime soon.

[4oh3]

Expand Seattle and either Portland or KC to even out the west move the panthers to QC