On the latest Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman are joined by Kurt Badenhausen to break down Sportico‘s recently published NHL valuations. The average NHL franchise is now worth $1.8 billion, up 92% since 2021. As Kurt explains, a lot of that growth has come from Sun Belt teams that were once viewed as struggling properties …

Sportico published its 2024 NHL team valuations on Wednesday that showcased how investors currently view the sport. The average team is now worth $1.79 billion, up 37% from a year ago and 77% versus 2022. The NHL has new ownership for its two biggest problem franchises (Arizona and Ottawa), arenas are packed for games and …

The NHL’s expansion to the Sun Belt had many hockey fans screaming penalty during the initial years in these nontraditional markets, as many of these clubs piled up losses on and off the ice. Yet over the last five years, teams in Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami and Tampa have secured seven of the 10 slots …

The Utah Hockey Club will make its NHL regular-season debut on Tuesday in a national telecast on ESPN, but it could be shut out from local viewers thereafter thanks to a carriage dispute. Comcast and Scripps Sports failed to come to terms on an agreement where the cable operator would carry independent local affiliate KUPX …

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said a new collective bargaining agreement with the NHLPA could come into place well before the current CBA expires in 2026. As the league’s board of governors met Tuesday, Bettman told reporters the NHL would begin discussing CBA specifics with the NHLPA in early 2025. He said a final deal could …

It’s not often that a contract dispute in the NHL comes into full public view, but the Boston Bruins and goaltender Jeremy Swayman have produced a spicy prelude exactly a week before the regular season. On Monday, team president Cam Neely told the media that the Bruins have made an $8 million per season offer …

Leon Draisaitl is skating into the future. The Edmonton Oilers star center is now the NHL’s highest-paid player after signing an eight-year contract extension worth $112 million. The average annual value of $14 million is the highest in NHL history and second overall richest contract ever behind Alex Ovechkin’s $124 million deal in 2008. The …

The Tampa Bay Lightning are in talks to have a new majority owner. According to multiple media reports, owner Jeff Vinik is looking to sell the franchise and has been speaking with Doug Ostrover, the co-founder and CEO and owner of investment firm Blue Owl Capital. The team is being valued at nearly $2 billion, …

Still basking in the glow of their Stanley Cup win, the Florida Panthers will enter their upcoming defense of the chalice with a new streaming partner in addition to their new local broadcaster. The champs have announced a partnership with ViewLift to develop its new direct-to-consumer streaming platform ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season. The …

PHOENIX — The Arizona Coyotes and the National League Hockey have fled Maricopa County for Utah. But the sport might not be gone forever. If any sports figure in the city is equipped to bring it back, it’s Suns and Mercury owner Mat Ishbia. He has the wherewithal, the arena and more importantly the will. …