Discussions of what the overall landscape of the hockey season will look like continue to ensue between the NHL and NHLPA. The return to play committee was busy until late Friday with discussions about the length of training camp, and rosters sizes. Some teams discussed using outdoor games for the season, which makes a lot of sense.
As many as six teams Nashville, Boston, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and Dallas have been reported interested in using outdoor games as a means of revenue. Before this recent surge in cases with the coronavirus the Philadelphia Eagles were able to have fans outdoors (Up to 7,500 people to include players, coaches, and staff), whereas indoors, teams were only able to have up to 10% capacity (Wells Fargo Center would only be allowed to approximately 2,000 people under these guidelines).
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We were one of the first sites to report that NHL teams might be inclined to use outdoor games this season to offset some overhead costs. Our very own Andy Gorel wrote a great article about two weeks ago on this exact topic. This past Wednesday it was reported by Pierre LeBrun and Elliotte Friedman that six teams were interested in using outdoor games as a means of revenue.
It makes sense hockey is a spectator sport. Hockey needs fans in the seats they do not have the television contracts that some other sports have to offset overhead costs, for instance, the NFL, MLB, and NBA. The Flyers may even be thinking of this here down the line. For every home game missed without fans hockey teams lost up to $1.3 million. Monies from concessions (To include beer), parking, merchandise being purchased at the games, and ticket sales bring a ton of revenue. Without fans it is very hard for hockey teams in the NHL, in general, to produce a profit.
No one could have predicted the overall impact financially of the coronavirus, but teams and fans alike in the sporting world are finding creative ways to adapt. It’s not easy, but nothing comes easy in life. In the end the greatest sport on Earth will reconvene once again for another great season of hockey in 2021.
I would love it if each team did a few outdoor games a year (without the whole covid factor). It would still seem special, and they are just incredible games. The scenery of it is so amazing. Who didn’t jump off the couch when Giroux finished off the penguins in the 2019 outdoor game? And the nasty weather just added this whole x-factor to the game.