NHL negotiates with United Arab Emirates about a game in 2027

[vorky]

Disgusting on so many levels. Bettman is the most filthy corrupt slimeball in sports today.

Perhaps he watched KHL World Games in Dubai a few years ago? And liked it? Definitelly Henke liked his time in Dubai. He knows how hockey works here, he can help

“This is amazing,” Lundqvist said. “It’s so good for the sport to have hockey here. As a player, you love to see the sport growing and become a world sport.

“This is a huge step, to have a KHL game in Dubai. If I could play, I’d love to be out there myself.”

source

 

[The Devilish Buffoon]

Because UAE is a country that runs on slavery and is funding multiple genocides.

To be fair, most teams are based and most games are played in the USA as it stands.

 

[IDEKWTM]

This isn't a good place for that. Your average Dubai resident isn't a native Emirati. It's meant to appeal to a bunch of wealthy expats and bored oil barons with more money than sense.

The Arab money has thrown a stupid amount on sports... you would be completely delusional to not even consider receiving a fraction of that.

 

[Albatros]

Another made up "we're still relevant" story from the KHL.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

The Arab money has thrown a stupid amount on sports... you would be completely delusional to not even consider receiving a fraction of that.

Oh I'm not denying there's a shitload of money being thrown around. I'm just saying that if you want to get more people into the game, you're not going to have a lot of new fans there. I think like 10% of the country are native born, and the rest are expats and various abused labor.

 

[StrangeVision]

Why does hockey need to grow in Dubai?

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

To be fair, most teams are based and most games are played in the USA as it stands.

Oh trust me I'm aware and it sucks, but I feel we have the right to voice our opinion on issues that haven't happened yet.

 

[elmaco]

UAE has a lot of money, that's what they're interested in.

 

[Martin Skoula]

I'm all for it as long as less than 20 slave laborers die in the building/hosting necessary for the game. Next up: a game in Saudi Arabia, with players seeing what will happen if they use pride tape on their sticks.

I see the angle for Bettman now, new leg on parlays for how many slaves die game day.

 

[Voight]

Because UAE is a country that runs on slavery and is funding multiple genocides.

The NHL has played games in China, and they are a far worse country when it comes to that.

 

[Cas]

Why does hockey need to grow in Dubai?

That would just be an excuse. The real answer is always money now.

The NHL would put a team on Ganymede for $1 billion, as long as the Ganymedeans built the arena too.

 

[njdevils1982]

Why does hockey need to grow in Dubai?

dubai dirham duh

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

NHL Champions vs Gagarin Cup Champs may spark interest in bringing hockey to Dubai.

 

[Albatros]

NHL Champions vs Gagarin Cup Champs may spark interest in bringing hockey to Dubai.

Why would the Stanley Cup champions want to play against a team consisting of players that weren't good enough to make the NHL when they can play against another NHL team? We also don't get NHL-AHL games, certainly not in Dubai.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Why would the Stanley Cup champions want to play against a team consisting of players that weren't good enough to make the NHL when they can play against another NHL team? We also don't get NHL-AHL games, certainly not in Dubai.

Because it's the two top leagues in the world going at it and champions of each respective league.

But I'd honestly prefer if the NHL and KHL played two separate games there.

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

f*** this

 

[Albatros]

Because it's the two top leagues in the world going at it and champions of each respective league.

But I'd honestly prefer if the NHL and KHL played two separate games there.

The KHL is the number one league in Russia and irrelevant everywhere else, including Dubai.

 

[shello]

They’re doing this with surfing and I hate it, I’d hate it for the NHL too

 

[Terry Yake]

there's zero chance this happens or is even being considered by the NHL

 

[ForsbergMoDo21]

North Korea not invited?

They were but they declined. They thought the UAE was too antiquated and oppressive of a culture.

 

[Plural]

I dont see why not, it's an opportunity to grow the game.

Wrong place and wrong opponent. KHL is shit quality and UAE is a shit country.

 

[DuklaNation]

"Growing the game"= increase revenue base. As a hockey fan in Southern Ontario, there is zero interest or appeal here. Just another example of them neglecting their core fanbase.

 

[Channelcat]

enough

 

[vorky]

Why does hockey need to grow in Dubai?

 

[IslesNorway]

Playing in the hockey hotbed and and pillar of democracy and human rights og UAE, sure will give the sport a major international uplift....