Bettman says NHL could be affected by U.S.-Canada tariffs

[sawchuk1971]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/05/nhl-commissioner-gary-bettman-us-canada-tariffs.html?taid=67c863520009f9000136500f&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter%7Cmain

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that the league could be affected by the current tensions between the U.S. and Canada.

Bettman said 25% of the league’s revenue comes from its Canadian clubs. Though he said the Canadian teams perform well, Bettman added that there could be ramifications for the league depending on the state of Canadian tariffs.




“All players, no matter which country they play in, get paid in U.S. dollars,” Bettman told CNBC’s Becky Quick on “Squawk Box.” “So if the impact of the tariffs is to see the Canadian dollar drop relative to the U.S. dollar, it will make it more difficult and more painful.”

Bettman said he has not yet engaged in any conversations with the Trump administration, but he believes the core of the tension between the two countries is a “policy issue,” with Canadians and Americans getting ”caught in the middle.”

“I’m hoping that this is a moment in time and both countries find a way to work through this,” Bettman said, adding that the uncertainty and tariffs may also cause difficulties with the NHL’s sponsors.

The league currently has seven Canadian teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.

Despite the uncertainty, Bettman said the league is expecting to exceed revenues of $7 billion in mixed currency for the current 2024-25 season. The NHL has also seen record ratings and strong attendance, he noted, with teams playing at 96.7% capacity season to date.

According to CNBC’s 2024 Official NHL Team Valuations, the average NHL franchise value was $1.92 billion.

“Our ratings are strong and we have great media partners in Canada and the United States,” Bettman said. “And we’re in a good place because the game has never been better.”

 

[edog37]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/05/nhl-commissioner-gary-bettman-us-canada-tariffs.html?taid=67c863520009f9000136500f&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter%7Cmain

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that the league could be affected by the current tensions between the U.S. and Canada.

Bettman said 25% of the league’s revenue comes from its Canadian clubs. Though he said the Canadian teams perform well, Bettman added that there could be ramifications for the league depending on the state of Canadian tariffs.




“All players, no matter which country they play in, get paid in U.S. dollars,” Bettman told CNBC’s Becky Quick on “Squawk Box.” “So if the impact of the tariffs is to see the Canadian dollar drop relative to the U.S. dollar, it will make it more difficult and more painful.”

Bettman said he has not yet engaged in any conversations with the Trump administration, but he believes the core of the tension between the two countries is a “policy issue,” with Canadians and Americans getting ”caught in the middle.”

“I’m hoping that this is a moment in time and both countries find a way to work through this,” Bettman said, adding that the uncertainty and tariffs may also cause difficulties with the NHL’s sponsors.

The league currently has seven Canadian teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.

Despite the uncertainty, Bettman said the league is expecting to exceed revenues of $7 billion in mixed currency for the current 2024-25 season. The NHL has also seen record ratings and strong attendance, he noted, with teams playing at 96.7% capacity season to date.

According to CNBC’s 2024 Official NHL Team Valuations, the average NHL franchise value was $1.92 billion.

“Our ratings are strong and we have great media partners in Canada and the United States,” Bettman said. “And we’re in a good place because the game has never been better.”

So in other words, 75% of league revenues come from US teams, which roughly equals the percentage of US/Canada teams overall.

Tariffs, should they be reinstated, are largely geared towards actual goods. Last time I checked, professional games aren’t goods. Perhaps ancillary items like equipment might be affected, but that constitutes the bulk.

Yes, the dollar exchange would be affected drastically, so that might have impact.

 

[dj4aces]

Tariffs, should they be reinstated, are largely geared towards actual goods. Last time I checked, professional games aren’t goods. Perhaps ancillary items like equipment might be affected, but that constitutes the bulk.

It's more than just goods. It's raw materials. It's even *services*, as Doug Ford recently told governors of Minnesota, Michigan, and New York that an additional tax will be applied to electricity produced in the province of Ontario that is supplied to parts of these states.

So yes... the longer this spat -- all because Trump can't annex Canada -- ensues, the more likely it will affect HRR. The more people have to spend on the stuff they need, the less they have available to spend at the arena, if they can even justify the purchase of tickets at all. Worst part is, this is only the short term effects.

 

[StlBigFly]

The biggest challenge imo is a potential change, perhaps a forecasted future, in the exchange rate between usd and cad.

I believe they buy dollars well in advance - contracting them out for at least an entire season, so this shouldn’t be felt immediately. I’m guessing they manage a portfolio of usd futures, but perhaps they’ve got some other mechanism. Really doesn’t matter too much how they get dollars so long as they aren’t just in time.

Hopefully everything chills. I’m not a fan of things.

 

[Three On Zero]

So in other words, 75% of league revenues come from US teams, which roughly equals the percentage of US/Canada teams overall.

Tariffs, should they be reinstated, are largely geared towards actual goods. Last time I checked, professional games aren’t goods. Perhaps ancillary items like equipment might be affected, but that constitutes the bulk.

Yes, the dollar exchange would be affected drastically, so that might have impact.

It has nothing to do with what is actually being tariffed and all to do with what it’s going to do to the US/Canadian exchange rate. Should the dollar fall too low some Canadians teams are going to get hit HARD when paying their players in American funds.

The consumer (us) will have to pay for the increased price on goods at the arena and an increased ticket price to offset the costs

 

[edog37]

It has nothing to do with what is actually being tariffed and all to do with what it’s going to do to the US/Canadian exchange rate. Should the dollar fall too low some Canadians teams are going to get hit HARD when paying their players in American funds.

The consumer (us) will have to pay for the increased price on goods at the arena and an increased ticket price to offset the costs

And will most likely need to be bailed out yet again.

 

[Three On Zero]

And will most likely need to be bailed out yet again.

Most Canadian ownership groups have fairly deep pockets now. But it’ll be interesting to see how it plays out

 

[edog37]

It's more than just goods. It's raw materials. It's even *services*, as Doug Ford recently told governors of Minnesota, Michigan, and New York that an additional tax will be applied to electricity produced in the province of Ontario that is supplied to parts of these states.

So yes... the longer this spat -- all because Trump can't annex Canada -- ensues, the more likely it will affect HRR. The more people have to spend on the stuff they need, the less they have available to spend at the arena, if they can even justify the purchase of tickets at all. Worst part is, this is only the short term effects.

Electricity is a product by the way. I don’t think Trump wants to really annex Canada, but rather set up the negotiations for the USMCA next year.

The cap might see a slight dip, but it will recover.

 

[jigglysquishy]

With Trump threatening annexation, the worst case scenario is about as bad as it gets.

I hope it doesn't get to armed conflict, but when the American president is threatening Canadian lives you have to take it seriously. In just a few months he's pushed Canadian American relations to the lowest they've been in almost 200 years.

We are almost certainly walking into a continent wide recession. Entertainment dollars will be the hardest hit. The 2008 recession forced a flat cap. COVID forced a flat cap. Another flat cap is in the NHL's future.

 

[dj4aces]

And will most likely need to be bailed out yet again.

Unlikely. Canadian ownership is rather healthy. However, it all depends on how long this nonsense goes on for.

Electricity is a product by the way. I don’t think Trump wants to really annex Canada, but rather set up the negotiations for the USMCA next year.

The cap might see a slight dip, but it will recover.

Whether Trump really wants to annex Canada or not doesn't matter. It's an incredible insult to Canadians. Some in our country might be content to laugh his dumbshit antics off, but this time around, no one else is laughing. From where I'm sitting, the tariffs are a violation of the very USMCA he agreed to under his first term. That doesn't bode well for negotiations.

 

[MeHateHe]

Whether Trump really wants to annex Canada or not doesn't matter. It's an incredible insult to Canadians

This Canadian genuinely appreciates that you recognize this. And yeah, we’re taking it seriously. “Annex,” by the way, means invade, because we’re not going willingly.

 

[LadyStanley]

Tariffs will also impact merchandise. And msny other "things"

"Authentic"/game worn jerseys are made in Canada. US teams will have to pay tariff for new jerseys. US fans will have to pay tariff if purchasing.
Other jerseys are made outside of US (Fanatics). They may also be subject to tariffs.

Many stick manufacturers are in Mexico. There are tariffs from there. This will not only impact NHL, but also (all) recreation hockey players.

Hockey pucks come from Czechia. Not sure of tariffs.

Many merchandise options are from all over the world. So fans will be impacted (and merchandise purchasers have to spend more to acquire stuff to resell, squeezing profits).

 

[MeHateHe]

Tariffs will also impact merchandise. And msny other "things"

"Authentic"/game worn jerseys are made in Canada. US teams will have to pay tariff for new jerseys. US fans will have to pay tariff if purchasing.
Other jerseys are made outside of US (Fanatics). They may also be subject to tariffs.

Many stick manufacturers are in Mexico. There are tariffs from there. This will not only impact NHL, but also (all) recreation hockey players.

I noted this in another thread, but if sticks, uniforms and equipment are subject to these tarrifs, it's unlikely to impact the bottom line of NHL teams, but could significantly impact the cost structure of minor league and junior teams.