Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
There are lots of things that need to be subsidized, but are still worthwhile and beneficial.
The NHL may be small, relative to other pro sports leagues, but it is a $4B industry. Supporting women's hockey would probably cost a few million max. It is not, in any way, cost prohibitive. And would (presumably) build the fanbase.
They are not asking for anything even remotely close to the same rights and pay as the men.
|
I would think you would have to quantify the benefits of the NHL doing a major sponsorship deal for woman's hockey.
I mean stating that it would increase woman's interest in hockey, I'm not so sure it would. When you see 3 digit attendance in Calgary it doesn't seem to be driving interest, and frankly the interest driven pops once every few years with the Olympic, but then it flattens out again.
I talked to my cousin's daughter who just committed to going to the U of L to play hockey and she watches NHL hockey and she watches the Olympics, she didn't have much interest in the other leagues, and her hockey hero's are male players.
I'm not saying that there's not space for a woman's pro league, but I don't know if there's a foundation for it at this time.
At the end of the day when people ask me about naming woman's pro leagues in team sports, I would probably name the Legends Football League (Even though its horrible football), and the WNBA, but I could tell you anything about it.
The question would have to be pro league? Or Olympic Developmental program and more money and support for the woman in what would essentially be a two year program between Olympics?