It’s that time again when we take a look at what’s been happening in hockey’s business and legal world. Once a week we cover the big and not so big stories in this arena. We also include a featured story of the period. Let’s take a look at what has been happening this period.
Hockey’s Business and Legal News
BioSteel Will No Longer Be the Official Sports Drink of the NHL
After the NHL switched over to BioSteel from Gatorade a few years ago, it looks like they will be pivoting again. It was announced the reportedly this will be the last year that BioSteel will be the official hydration partner for the NHL. The expectation is for BodyArmor to take over in that role. This is not a complete surprise as BioSteel has recently had some issues financially. More to come on this.
Sounds like this will be the last season with BioSteel as the “Official Hydration Partner” of the NHL & NHLPA. It’s not yet confirmed, but word out there is BodyArmor will be taking over the partnership starting 2024-25.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 21, 2024
Former Athol Murray College of Notre Dame Hockey Player Suing for Sexual Abuse
In yet another example of people coming forward in hockey alleging sexual abuse, a former student and hockey player at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, a notable prep school in Saskatchewan for developing hockey talent, filed a sexual abuse suit against the school. He played there in the late 80s but generally speaking sexual abuse claims don’t have statute of limitations. It is noteworthy that the student, Jason Duckworth, wanted his name published to encourage others to come forward.
Unfortunately, the sexual abuse, hazing, discrimination and other similar incidents are not immune to any level of hockey and this shows yet another example. While the power struggle still remains, it is an important shift in focus as those in leadership positions start looking at actually developing athletes as people and not as tools for their own gain.
From @rwesthead – A former student and hockey player who attended Athol Murray College of Notre Dame has filed a lawsuit alleging he was a victim of sexual, physical, mental and emotional abuse while at the school renowned for developing hockey talent: https://t.co/TRMx1rOTO6
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) March 20, 2024
Updates from NHL GMs Meeting
Following the NHL General Managers meeting this week, a few notable items came out. Not everything is certain yet but some interesting items came out affecting hockey’s business and legal sides. For starters, the NHL has signed off on doing an Amazon series following 10-12 players for a behind-the-scenes look. As streaming platforms continue to rise, this could be a big marketing item for the league.
Interesting nugget coming out of today's NHL GMs Meeting: A couple managers mentioned that the league has signed on to do a behind-the-scenes series with Amazon that will centre around 10-12 star players.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 18, 2024
It's due for a fall release.
The latest projection for hockey related revenue this year is $6.2 billion. Keep in mind that hockey related revenue directly affects the salary cap.
Gary Bettman says the #NHL’s latest projection for hockey related revenue this season is $6.2 billion.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 20, 2024
Nothing too new was updated on the Arizona Coyotes except that they are still pursuing a new arena and that the team will likely remain in Arizona for next year at least regardless.
Bill Daly, asked if the NHL would have time to pivot and have the #coyotes play somewhere other than Arizona next season if Alex Meruelo doesn't win June's land auction: "Probably not."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 20, 2024
Seems to be an indication they're likely to remain where they are for 2024-25.
And while there were some more items from this meeting like rule changes, notes about LTIR and such, the last item that came out was the NHL still holding onto their position that concussions do not conclusively cause CTE. The timing here was interesting considering the shocking sad news of the suicide of former NHLer Chris Simon.
Asked Bill Daly whether the #NHL’s viewpoint has changed with additional medical studies that show a definitive link between CTE and repeated blows to the head.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 20, 2024
“No,” Daly said. “I think the science is still lacking.”
USA Hockey Looking for More Control on Handling Abuse Allegations and Misconduct
USA Hockey’s executive director Pat Kelleher testified before the United States Senate that USA Hockey wants the US Center for SafeSport to only have jurisdiction over “the most egregious” misconduct complaints. Instead, they want USA Hockey and local organizations to have more control over handling the majority of those complaints. Meanwhile, USA Hockey does not publicly disclose the number of historical sexual assault claims made or settlements paid for such claims against it or its members.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is a nonprofit organization responsible for investigating and making recommendations on sexual abuse and other abuse claims in sports. While it cannot impose criminal fines or imprisonment, it can forward its investigations to federal or state courts and can impose certain sanctions preventing participation in certain events. Notably, it also maintains a public list of individuals sanctioned which is one key difference than USA Hockey. We will see how this progresses.
USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher testified during a U.S. Senate committee hearing this afternoon that his organization wants the U.S. Center for SafeSport to accept jurisdiction over only "the most egregious" misconduct complaints.
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 20, 2024
Kelleher said USA Hockey would like…
Updates on Tucker Tynan’s Lawsuit against Sault Ste. Marie
In a previous hockey’s business and legal updates article we discussed that former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds goalie Tucker Tynan sued the team for allegedly requiring him to play injured and racial harassment. Now, Tynan has amended his complaint to include that the Greyhounds knew he was injured when they traded for him. He also provided that the Greyhounds said his OHL School Package would be terminated if he didn’t play. The lawsuit is still in process and all the claims are alleged at this point.
In an amended statement of claim, former Sault Ste. Marie goaltender Tucker Tynan has alleged club officials knew that he had a serious knee injury when the team traded for him.
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 21, 2024
Tynan alleged the Greyhounds insisted that if he didn't play, the team could terminate his “OHL School…
Hockey’s Business and Legal Updates Featured Story: Chicago Blackhawks Motion to Dismiss Negligence Suit Denied
In this period’s hockey’s business and legal updates featured story we look at the Chicago Blackhawks. After Kyle Beach came out with abuse allegations against former Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich, a second individual came forward and filed a suit against the team and Aldrich. Specifically he filed a lawsuit for institutional negligence on the part of the Blackhawks. We covered this in a previous hockey’s business and legal updates article here.
The Blackhawks moved to dismiss this negligence claim claiming it wasn’t timely under Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury suits. The individual’s lawyers argued it was timely because the extent of the Blackhawks handling of the abuse situations were only made evident recently. A state judge in Ilinois has denied the Blackhawks motion to dismiss and therefore this case will proceed. It may end in a settlement like Beach’s did, but this story is still ongoing as of now.
A U.S. federal court judge has denied the Chicago Blackhawks' request to dismiss a negligence suit filed by a second ‘John Doe’ who alleges he was sexually assaulted by former team video coach Brad Aldrich.
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) March 25, 2024
Story from @rwesthead: https://t.co/uj4Qpx8ree
Post image attribution: Derek Kaczmarczyk, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
