Bettman: Concessions needed for NHL to go to Olympics
to the season. To disappear for almost three weeks in February when there’s no football, no baseball, there’s only basketball and us. To do it where there’s no programming for the NHL Network, for NHL.com, for all of our social media platforms — we just disappear.”
He added: “I can’t tell you that there’s been any tangible benefit, particularly here in North America, of doing it. We are shut out by the Olympics.”
NHL Players Association Executive Director Don Fehr said players want to participate. He sees a chance for the NHL to build its fan base in Asia, where the next two Winter Olympics will be held.
While the league isn’t particularly interested in marketing in South Korea, it does have its eyes on China and the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, where Bettman is scheduled to be next week. Fasel said it may be “difficult” for the league to count on going to China in 2022 if it skips South Korea.
“If that’s the IOC’s and IIHF’s position, that’s their position,” Bettman said. “I’m not going to get into a public debate with them. They’re entitled to take whatever position they want.”
The league could also be in for a showdown with players if an Olympic break is not scheduled next season. Washington Capitals and Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin has vowed to go, and he might not be the only one.
“We’ll deal with that at the appropriate time if it comes to that,” Bettman said.
For now, he’s not slamming the door on the Olympics. But unless concessions are made, he expects the world’s best players to suit up for the teams that sign their checks — not their countries.
“If somebody has something they want to tell us, we’ll listen until there’s a deadline,” Bettman said. “If nobody says anything to us that will change the thinking of the teams, then nothing will happen.”