NHL Board of Governors Notebook: Pride nights, salary cap and team valuations

NEW YORK – Quick stuff from the Board of Governors’ meeting in Manhattan:

As you know by now, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman recommended players not wear themed jerseys for pre-game warmups. That includes Hockey Fights Cancer, military nights, etc. — and Pride jerseys. Last season, as a few players declined to wear them, several sources predicted this outcome because the stories became more about the minority that refused than the vast majority that complied.

“It’s become a distraction and taking away from the fact that all of our clubs … host nights in honour of various groups or causes, and we’d rather they continue to get the appropriate attention they deserve,” Bettman told me Thursday.

It’s a real shame the announcement occurred during Pride Month, and that people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community — whether fans, team employees, players or their family members — might feel unwelcome in their own skin at a hockey game. Everyone should feel they belong. 

“I agree those are legitimate concerns,” Bettman said. “But, in the final analysis, all of the efforts and emphasis on the importance of these various causes have been undermined by the distraction in terms of which teams, which players (don’t wear the jerseys). This way, we are keeping the focus on the game. On the specialty nights, we’re going to be focused on the cause.”

Pride Nights and other specialty nights aren’t being eliminated. Everything that happens during them continues — except for the element in the warmup. The various jerseys will still be manufactured and sold. This is a loss, however, for the overall colour and feel of the NHL. On Hockey Fights Cancer night or military nights or something like Diwali Night in Vancouver, where the Canucks came out to an eye-grabbing sweater, I loved the different look. 

Somewhere down the road, I hope we can find another solution.

SALARY CAP

The minimum jump this year: $1 million, to $83.5 million. The players did not want to tamper with their escrow caps, and the NHL was unwilling to budge without that. Will we get to $88 million next summer, as has been discussed?

“Somewhere in the $4 million-plus range will be the first jump that it makes, but don’t hold me to that,” Bettman answered. “It’s way premature.”

OTTAWA

No news on the sale at this meeting, and prospective owner Michael Andlauer did not attend. That’s a rarity. He rarely ever misses a Board of Governors meeting.

Bettman estimated the closing date “by September at some point it should be done, if not sooner.”

What is Andlauer allowed to do?

“He’s not yet in a position to make decisions,” Bettman answered. “If he’s asked for advice, he can give it, but in the final analysis, the people (currently) running the club are still running the club.”

OTHER TEAM BUSINESS

The Ottawa sale at $950 million was good news for the NHL. As was Tampa Bay selling a minority stake at a reported $1.4 billion valuation and Larry Tanenbaum reportedly selling a small piece of his 25 per cent share in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment at a value of $8 billion. (I’ll have more on this on Friday’s 32 Thoughts podcast, but one of the working theories is Tanenbaum actually sold 20 per cent of his holding company — Kilmer Sport — at a price of $400 million. So, in legalese, it might not actually be a stake in MLSE that was sold, but kind of “one step away” from it.)

Tanenbaum will remain a member of the NHL’s executive committee.

Bettman has said this a few times as of late, but he sees these numbers as “more realistically the true value of our franchises.” 

We’ve wondered if this means other teams will jump on these values to sell a majority stake, but he said no other teams are for sale.

ARIZONA 

“By mid-season, we should have a pretty good handle on what their situation is,” Bettman said. “And if we need to explore further options at that time, we’ll consult with (team) management and figure out what to do. Obviously, playing at Mullett (Arena) has to be a temporary solution, and there needs to be a permanent solution on the horizon.”

He says he is optimistic. Are there any discussions with Mat Ishbia, new owner of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, on any kind of joint project? (Hint: there are several across the NHL hoping for this.)

“No discussions I’m aware of,” Bettman replied.

STAN BOWMAN/JOEL QUENNEVILLE

Both Stan Bowman and Joel Quenneville have asked to meet with Bettman to discuss reinstatement from their suspensions for mishandling the Kyle Beach case while with the Chicago Blackhawks. That’s scheduled to happen next month, but the commissioner was careful in choosing his words.

“I will see what they have to say, then decide,” he said. He is determined not to pre-judge the situation.

In addition, Bettman reiterated what was said at the Stanley Cup Final about the Hockey Canada 2018 World Junior investigation: he is waiting for the final report.