NHL expansion plans controversy -There has also been some talk about expansion in the National Hockey League, something that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has said is not something that needs to be done.
As he had said in a period which he described as most fruitful in the history of the NHL, Bettman said most of the action going forward in the next few years are going to be in collective bargaining and new medical rights in Canada, as reported by Sportsnet.
Will prioritize new CBA & drop $4B expansion fees
Bettman said they would consider expansion applications but in this case, it means they would be willing to look at expansion proposals only if the proposal fulfills all the stated qualities and this is not a main agenda at the moment.
Sports agent Allan Walsh was not impressed with Bettman’s statements that pointed to the leagues prepared to discuss $2bn expansion fees per team as when the CBA negotiations began, financial limits were cited.
However, he said that what the Minnesotans needed to know was that Gary Bettman would prefer the new CBA as the owners could get an expansion fee of up to $4 billion.
“Of course not. Can’t do expansion at $2 Billion per team, then claim empty pockets going into CBA talks. Gary will prioritize new CBA and then drop $4 Billion expansion fee on the owners. Lots of expansion activity going on informally behind the scenes,” Walsh wrote on X/Twitter.
Bettman also realized all the minor issues that were peripheral to the league core such as the outside forces some individuals (and groups) wanted the league expanded while others were against it. He did say that expansion is off the table when it comes to the league.
Gary Bettman expects league revenue will continue to rise
NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, and Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly were positive about the growth trend of the league’s revenues.
They expect that for the salary level, teams will rise from $85.5 million for the current season to $92.5 million for the next season. While Bettman ducked specific commitments about the 2025–26 salary cap as “anticipatory,” Daly indicated that there is considerable potential ahead.
He also said that preparations for a new CBA could begin as early as November; however, the league and the players’ association still have some work to do before arriving at that stage.
“I’ve mentioned that it could start as early as November, but I think everyone has some homework to finish first,” Bettman said. “I know the union is currently on their full tour, so it’s not a big deal.”
“I believe that, timing-wise, November is probably the most realistic, which is still well ahead of the current CBA expiration. We feel that, in terms of our relationship, we’re in a good place,” Bettman said via Sportsnet.
Gary Bettman realized that the union is up to some work With this, however, he added that it is still relatively early as the current CBA has a longer duration of up to summer 2026 at least.
