Gary Bettman: NHL & NHLPA Forge Stronger Global Hockey Ties
In a significant development for the international hockey landscape, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has expressed optimism regarding the strengthening working relationship between the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). Speaking at a joint press conference in Milan alongside IIHF President Luc Tardif and NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh, Bettman declared that the hockey world is "in a better place" due to this enhanced cooperation.
A New Era of Collaboration
The renewed camaraderie among these three key organizations is a driving force behind the NHL's participation in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. This marks the league's first Olympic appearance since 2014, a hiatus that included opting out of the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Games due to various business and logistical concerns, including pandemic impacts.
Commissioner Bettman articulated the strategic importance of this unified front. "The hockey world from an NHL and NHLPA standpoint is in a better place when the Players' Association and the League are cooperating, and internationally when these three organizations are collaborating the hockey world is in a better place," Bettman stated. He further elaborated on the mission to "grow the game in places where we're not as strong as say we are in North America." This sentiment was echoed by Tardif, who acknowledged the "two years of discussion" that led to the current positive outcome.
Best-on-Best Hockey: The Future Focus
A cornerstone of this revitalized collaboration is the commitment to establishing a consistent cycle of "best-on-best" international hockey competitions. Following the 2026 Olympics, the focus will shift to the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, with plans already in motion for a return to the Olympics in 2030. This aims to create a two-year cycle that allows the world's elite players to consistently compete against each other on the global stage.
Marty Walsh emphasized the desire of both fans and players for these high-caliber matchups. "Hockey fans and players want to see best on best," Walsh said. "I think when you think about the Olympics, 4 Nations, World Cup of Hockey and when you think about the World Championships that they have every year, fans want to see the best players in the world." The collective effort from the NHL, NHLPA, and IIHF is geared towards fulfilling this demand, ensuring that top talent is showcased from the junior ranks through to professional careers.
Olympic Access and Evolving Agreements
A significant factor enabling the NHL's return to the Olympics has been increased flexibility from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Bettman noted that the NHL and NHLPA have received greater access and leeway at the Milan Games compared to previous Olympic participations. This includes enhanced opportunities for content creation and promotion by both the league and its players, including on social media platforms.
"Players are allowed to create content as participants; we're allowed to retweet it," Commissioner Bettman explained. "In some respects, we have better access than we did before. There's been some cooperation in terms of joint logo use. It will continue to evolve over time as the IOC continues to recognize as it relates to the Winter Olympics in terms of sheer mass, there's nothing that compares to the hockey." This evolution addresses past challenges where IOC rightsholder agreements had previously limited the NHL's promotional capabilities, such as capitalizing on iconic moments like Sidney Crosby's golden goal in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Growing the Game Globally
The strategic objective of "growing the game" remains paramount. By participating in major international tournaments and fostering stronger relationships with the IIHF, the NHL aims to expand its reach and influence beyond its traditional strongholds in North America. This collaborative approach is seen as crucial for developing hockey in emerging markets and inspiring the next generation of players and fans worldwide.
The successful commencement of the Olympic tournament in Milan, with players and fans visibly engaged, serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of all parties involved. The commitment to regular best-on-best competitions, starting with the Olympics and extending to the World Cup of Hockey, signals a promising future for the sport, driven by unprecedented cooperation between the league, its players, and the international governing body.
