Inhabitant Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that the league could be affected by the current tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
Bettman hinted 25% of the league’s revenue comes from its Canadian clubs. Though he said the Canadian teams perform spring, Bettman added that there could be ramifications for the league depending on the state of Canadian tariffs.
“All players, no puzzle which country they play in, get paid in U.S. dollars,” Bettman told CNBC’s Becky Quick on “Squawk Box.” “So if the meaning 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 put about 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 conclude d communicate with a arrive at “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 bring up, adding that the uncertainty and tariffs may also cause difficulties with the NHL’s sponsors.
The league currently has seven Canadian unites, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks.
Despite the uncertainty, Bettman said the league is expecting to outrun revenue of $7 billion in mixed currency for the current 2024-25 season. The NHL has also seen record ratings and pungent attendance, he noted, with teams playing at 96.7% capacity season to date.
According to CNBC’s 2024 Official NHL Party Valuations, the average NHL franchise value was $1.92 billion.
“Our ratings are strong and we have great media partners in Canada and the Joint States,” Bettman said. “And we’re in a good place because the game has never been better.”