Jeremy Laura: ESPN starting to float names of employees leaving, NHL needs leadership

First class piece of work.

Great questions.

NHL has conspired within its ownership ranks to pump up the market on the sale of the Ottawa Senators. The ask is now reported at $1b+. Ottawa is a great market with the highest per capita income in Canada. But, no NHL team has sold for $1b. and Ottawa should not be the first.

I doubt you can generate sufficient revenues to justify a $1b sticker price. National broadcasters in the US and Canada are already losing money on their individual productions.

I don't think it will start with the NHL. But, sometime, somewhere it will begin. Networks and owners will come to recognize the insanity of the business model.

My fear is the only option will be to turn the entire enterprise over to the gambling class. At that point it no longer about competitive sports. Rather it is about creating events offering the best revenue streams.

Interesting read. Thanks.

First class piece of work.

Great questions.

NHL has conspired within its ownership ranks to pump up the market on the sale of the Ottawa Senators. The ask is now reported at $1b+. Ottawa is a great market with the highest per capita income in Canada. But, no NHL team has sold for $1b. and Ottawa should not be the first.

I doubt you can generate sufficient revenues to justify a $1b sticker price. National broadcasters in the US and Canada are already losing money on their individual productions.

I don't think it will start with the NHL. But, sometime, somewhere it will begin. Networks and owners will come to recognize the insanity of the business model.

My fear is the only option will be to turn the entire enterprise over to the gambling class. At that point it no longer about competitive sports. Rather it is about creating events offering the best revenue streams.
- spatso

Here’s what’s interesting. There was a serious couple of groups (one led by a Hollywood performer). Then discovery began and the Sens are 500million in debt. All of a sudden, those groups dropped off. The only thing I’ve seen do this kind of reversal is, “yeah, you’ll pay for the team but you also need to buy the debt”. You can negotiate the debt (in terms of sellers covering part of it). Ever since then, this went down. If you’re forced to pay the debt, it becomes 1.5 billion but a sales tag of 1 billion or a tag of 750m and actual price of 1.25m etc

Interesting read. Thanks.
- Sinisalo4vr

Thanks for that. Neither the NHLPA or the board of Governors has made the move to make the necessary changes. Not much players can do with current CBA, but get the board of governors swapped and get new leadership for the NHL

Here’s what’s interesting. There was a serious couple of groups (one led by a Hollywood performer). Then discovery began and the Sens are 500million in debt. All of a sudden, those groups dropped off. The only thing I’ve seen do this kind of reversal is, “yeah, you’ll pay for the team but you also need to buy the debt”. You can negotiate the debt (in terms of sellers covering part of it). Ever since then, this went down. If you’re forced to pay the debt, it becomes 1.5 billion but a sales tag of 1 billion or a tag of 750m and actual price of 1.25m etc
- Jeremy Laura

Yep I was curious on if they were free and clear and now it seems as though ..nope - I've seen this myself in the heavy construction, mining business... you buy the company and the debt comes with it. Generally the debt to purchase ratio can and sometimes is based on future revenues.. IE a Gold or Rare earth minerals deposit.

It will still be a large purchase by any means but the way Buttman was gloating about it... you just knew something fishy was up.

Yep I was curious on if they were free and clear and now it seems as though ..nope - I've seen this myself in the heavy construction, mining business... you buy the company and the debt comes with it. Generally the debt to purchase ratio can and sometimes is based on future revenues.. IE a Gold or Rare earth minerals deposit.

It will still be a large purchase by any means but the way Buttman was gloating about it... you just knew something fishy was up.
- dozerD10

On top of all of it, everyone wants a new stadium. That will be a bond issue (so technically will be repaid) but how much $ has to go into taking a franchise, getting it clear of debt and building a new arena?

Good work, Jeremy!

Nice to see someone that understands and cares about the business side of the league.

With the current economic conditions, changing business models, and fan apathy, the league needs great leadership now more than ever.

On another note, besides gambling and ads on uniforms, I don’t see how they’re going increase revenues enough to make the salary cap go up. They can’t keep adding teams and distribute the proceeds.

Thanks for the read.👍

Good work, Jeremy!

Nice to see someone that understands and cares about the business side of the league.

With the current economic conditions, changing business models, and fan apathy, the league needs great leadership now more than ever.

On another note, besides gambling and ads on uniforms, I don’t see how they’re going increase revenues enough to make the salary cap go up. They can’t keep adding teams and distribute the proceeds.

Thanks for the read.👍
- Hokeeguy9

If Bettman had his way, there would be 75 teams with a 130 game season.

Jeremy Laura: ESPN starting to float names of employees leaving, NHL needs leadership
- Jeremy Laura

great article again



Subcontracting and outsourcing , from my understanding it's only a license deal to broadcast the show, assuming that's what it is the house of mouse should have no say in how he produces or conducts his business.

On the other end of spectrum, you have Kellerman, he went from a primetime show with SAS to doing radio and an afternoon program in an week day afternoon death slot. Which didn't last long because they need to make room for McAphee.

Granted he still has boxing commentary, but what a fall.

Here’s what’s interesting. There was a serious couple of groups (one led by a Hollywood performer). Then discovery began and the Sens are 500million in debt. All of a sudden, those groups dropped off. The only thing I’ve seen do this kind of reversal is, “yeah, you’ll pay for the team but you also need to buy the debt”. You can negotiate the debt (in terms of sellers covering part of it). Ever since then, this went down. If you’re forced to pay the debt, it becomes 1.5 billion but a sales tag of 1 billion or a tag of 750m and actual price of 1.25m etc
- Jeremy Laura

Ottawa has a massive, massive debt problem. Only Arizona is worse. Their debt is at 50% of their valuation, for comparison, the Rangers are at 1% and the Wings are at 9%. The Wings have about $90 million in debt, on annual income of about $61 million, which is 1 1/2 years of income. Ottawa has $500 million in debt on $47 million in annual income, which is more than 10 1/2 years of income. I can't understand why anyone would want to buy them for anything other than as a hobby for the mega billionaire.

The real insanity is the need to revenue share for decades to some teams. There's a place for a couple of Canadian teams to join, also being solvent, that could help but the New York imbecile, known as Gary Bettman won't even look at it. His big idea is a third go-around with Atlanta. I'm sorry, but they blew their chance....twice! Quebec City lost their team because a greedy owner could make more money moving a team to Denver, where they won the Stanley Cup the next year. All of this talk of Disney and Bally is just more smoke being blown up people's asses. A second Toronto team would also make sense, but they won't go there. It's getting tiring and it's time that the NHL found some new blood to run the league. Bettman has been Commissioner for 30 years. Time to get someone that understands the economics of sports franchises and where they fit in the media.

Has anyone seen this?

https://www.nhltraderumor...ulated-desired-trade.html

There should be no way Yzerman trades for him!
Sign him as UFA in a year, if he so desires.

Has anyone seen this?

https://www.nhltraderumor...ulated-desired-trade.html

There should be no way Yzerman trades for him!
Sign him as UFA in a year, if he so desires.
- StargateSG1

I really enjoyed the fake Friedman tweet

I really enjoyed the fake Friedman tweet
- Feds91Stammer

That's a parody account isn't it?

That's a parody account isn't it?
- bluelineenforcer

Yeah and some muppet thinks it’s real