Quote:
Originally Posted by Table 5
It might be from a business perspective for the NHL, but I don't think it does as much in terms of building the game of hockey internationally, as the Olympics can. The Olympics come with built-in brand equity that fans and players alike have instant respect for. People of all types watch sports that they wouldn't regularly watch otherwise, which has potential to increase it's popularity (but of course, not necessarily profits for the NHL).
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Thing is, "building the game of hockey internationally" is not the NHL's mandate. It will act in that direction if such growth intersects with its own business interests - such as originally going to the Olympics and the European Series games - but if the NHL does not exist to be altruistic and if it decides the benefits are not worth the risks and costs, the league will act in its own best interest. Growing the game internationally is the IIHF's job.
To that end, there is speculation that the NHL may go to the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics anyway, for one reason: the league may view China as an untapped market.