My Rage Burns Hot

As much as I'm hopeful that the NHL will do the right thing, the league constantly and consistently disappoints me in so many ways. Whether it's the league playing passive regarding all the legal issues in various cities or the league doing stupid things when it comes to the look of players on the ice, the NHL is finding new ways to let me down and force me to dislike it. Today's news is no different as the announcement has lit a fire within me that likely won't subside for a while assuming it ever will.

The NHL announced today that the league will allow teams to put sponsor patches on jerseys beginning in 2022-23 after the board of governors unanimously approved the move. Let that sink in for a moment - sponsor ads on NHL jerseys. I believe the following image sums up my feelings nicely.

Outside of greed, what could possibly drive a unanimous vote for sponsor ads on jerseys when there are some teams who won't even wear an alternate jersey to generate additional revenue? Outside of greed, what would the underlying reason to put someone else's logo on an NHL jersey? If you have a reason, speak up now.

According to this CBC report based on a report by The Associated Press, sponsor ads on jerseys will be "3.5 x 3 inches" in size. The location wasn't revealed, but you have to expect it will be in a prominent place such as a shoulder so that the sponsor ads can be seen clearly by fans in the stands and on television. That will be the driver as teams will be permitted to negotiate individually with businesses for that sponsor ad money.

For those asking, the NBA, who started their sponsor-ads-on-jerseys campaign in 2017-18, has reportedly raked in some $150 million since instituting the program. The NHL isn't dumb as a copycat league, so it's pretty clear that a nine-figure number would appeal to all the suits sitting in the Board of Governors meeting. I'm not sure if any of those suits can do math, though, because that would mean tha NBA has scored $30 million per season for five seasons which means each team earned an extra million bucks over those five seasons.

An extra million bucks is a pittance in the grand scheme of an $82.5 million payroll, so why are ads being forced onto jerseys if the return is so little and fans seemingly don't want to see it?

The business of hockey is killing the sport and purity of the game. Jerseys in the NHL are sacred, holy ground where no ads should ever appear for any reason, but apparently that means nothing to the 32 men running the league. If it's not nailed down, it can apparently be sold to the highest bidder in the NHL. Jerseys on ads will happen next season, and I'm expecting a very cold weather forecast for hell.

This league disappoints me in so many ways. Here is yet another prime example on display.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!