Gary Bettman Under Fire After Being Caught Screwing Team Out of Millions

The NHL Global Series has recently been under scrutiny for its financial dealings, particularly regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs and their lost revenue.

Maple Leafs Financially Shortchanged in NHL Global Series

The Global Series, featuring teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, had a unique allocation of home and away games, impacting team revenues. The NHL compensates teams for 'home' games based on typical earnings from their regular home games.

For the Ottawa Senators, an average home game generates about $1.5 million, and they received compensation for two such games in Sweden. Conversely, the Maple Leafs, who typically earn close to $4 million per home game, were assigned two 'away' games. This arrangement resulted in the Maple Leafs missing out on almost $8 million in revenue.

The Larger Financial Picture in the NHL

This decision by the NHL, seen as a way to economize, has raised concerns about its long-term effects on teams that generate more revenue, like the Maple Leafs. Saving money for the league is one thing, but potentially alienating its more lucrative teams could have more significant consequences. The reluctance of these teams to engage in future NHL events due to such financial disparities could be more damaging than the cost savings.

The NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman's choice in this matter has ignited discussions on its appropriateness and the potential repercussions for the relationships between the league and its teams.

As Read on Blade of Steel - NHL reveals the real reason the Toronto Maple Leafs were given the best Global Series schedule