Quote:
Originally Posted by ken0042
Does anybody know what the TV contracts are worth, and the difference between NHL players going to the Olympics, and the current contract?
I am just wondering if there is a significant difference between an Olympics out of sync with North American time zones and not having NHL players; and one that is in North America with NHL players.
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The two countries that would see the biggest ratings boost from NHL participation are Canada and the US. NBC is already locked in as the US Olympic broadcaster through the 2032 Summer Olympics, so their value won't change regardless of NHL participation.
If Calgary hosts, there will likely be a bidding war for the Canadian rights like there was for the 88 and 2010 Games. Those rights will almost-certainly be sold before the NHL fully commits (unless the new CBA has a guarantee of Olympic participation, which it might).
Overall, the revenue from the broadcast rights are unlikely to be impacted by NHL (non)participation because there's just so much more involved than just men's hockey.
The biggest impact would likely be in the ticket prices they can charge for games with NHL players compared to what they can charge otherwise. There will also likely be lower attendance for the games that don't feature either Canada or the US than there will if NHLers are playing.
In the end, I'd say that the risk of the NHL not participating in an Olympics held on Canadian soil is pretty low on the list of all the possible risks surrounding this bid.