1 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio news. 2 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 2: We know that political tensions as we keep talking about 3 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 2: US China, they are definitely high. They're also high between 4 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:16,720 Speaker 2: the United States and Canada. Pretty tense on the ice 5 00:00:16,800 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 2: as well as tonight's Game two of the Stanley Cup 6 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 2: Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the defending champion Florida Panthers. 7 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:34,120 Speaker 2: And that, of course was Game one, the Oilers leading 8 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 2: the best of seven series thanks to a win in 9 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,120 Speaker 2: Game one. Our next guest was watching. Of course, he'll 10 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 2: be watching it again tonight, we assume, as he has 11 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 2: watched all other finals and guided and growing the league 12 00:00:44,840 --> 00:00:47,200 Speaker 2: for the last thirty two plus years. He's the National 13 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 2: Hockey League's first ever commissioner, making him the longest serving 14 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:55,320 Speaker 2: executive chief executive among major North American pro sports leagues. 15 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:58,280 Speaker 1: With us, we've got a Gary Badman, Commissioner of the NHL, 16 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: joining us from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Also joining us to 17 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:05,759 Speaker 1: our in house hockey experts, Scarlettfew. She's a Bloomberg TV 18 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 1: anchor of The Close. She's back in our New York studio. 19 00:01:08,880 --> 00:01:10,760 Speaker 1: Mische Beman, Welcome to the program. 20 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 3: It's good to see you. 21 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: No Canadian team has one just thinking, are the Canadian 22 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:18,760 Speaker 1: fans a bit more edgy considering the political tensions between. 23 00:01:18,520 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 3: The US and Canada right now? Can we talk politics 24 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:24,080 Speaker 3: a little bit? We can do that. Thank you for 25 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 3: having me. It's good to be with you. Our fans 26 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:30,319 Speaker 3: are passionate for the teams that they root for, there's 27 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 3: no question about that. But there seems to be a 28 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:38,679 Speaker 3: little bit of movement towards Edmonton being Canada's team because, 29 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 3: as you said, the Stanley Cup hasn't been awarded to 30 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 3: a Canadian team in the last thirty plus years, Montreal 31 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 3: being the last club to win it in nineteen ninety three. 32 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,480 Speaker 3: In terms of the tensions, initially and it was around 33 00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 3: the same time as our Four Nations tournament, which Canada 34 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:04,400 Speaker 3: won back in February, there was some booing of anthems 35 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 3: in both countries. That's all simmered down. People are focused 36 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:13,359 Speaker 3: on playing hockey, rooting for their team, and the competition 37 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 3: throughout the end of the regular season and into the 38 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 3: playoffs has been terrific. And the question that I get 39 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:23,720 Speaker 3: most frequently asked is well, what does that do for 40 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 3: the Canadian clubs with respect to the tariffs and everything else, 41 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 3: because our players in Canada still get paid in US dollars. 42 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:37,080 Speaker 3: And the answer is the Canadian dollars actually up a 43 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 3: little bit since all this started a few months ago. 44 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 3: I think three four months ago, the Canadian dollar was 45 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 3: at seventy cents. 46 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 4: It's now it's seventy three. 47 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:47,920 Speaker 3: And so we'll watch what goes on. But I think 48 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:51,639 Speaker 3: what the great thing about sports is it brings people 49 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 3: together and even if there's a little political tension around 50 00:02:55,120 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 3: the edges, ultimately fans get into and focus on for 51 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 3: their favorite team. 52 00:03:02,200 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 2: So you just answered a question I was going to 53 00:03:04,200 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 2: ask you about, you know, the possible negative implications of 54 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:08,839 Speaker 2: US Canada tariffs and on the Canadian dollar. It does 55 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 2: feel like things have settled down, but are you still 56 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:13,800 Speaker 2: a little bit on pins and needles about concerns about 57 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:16,920 Speaker 2: how this could escalate again. We know from the White 58 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 2: House Commissioner that things can change rapidly and we have. 59 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 3: To be flexible and adaptable, and we always are, and 60 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 3: you know that's been something that I've dealt with over 61 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:33,000 Speaker 3: three decades. The issue on the Canadian dollar, which is 62 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 3: where any sort of league issue would come, is really 63 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 3: a function of what happens with the Canadian economy, and 64 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,640 Speaker 3: if the Canadian economy stays stable and the dollar relative 65 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 3: to the U Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar 66 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 3: doesn't change traumatically, things should be fine. I think what 67 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 3: we've seen worldwide is a little bit of softening in 68 00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 3: the US dollar and the Canadian dollar has been holding 69 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 3: its own. If that changes, if it becomes a problem, 70 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 3: we'll address it. 71 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 4: But so far, so good. 72 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 3: And again the good news is people are focused on 73 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 3: the hockey, which has been sensational, as you mentioned, Game 74 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 3: two tonight, and so you know, we're looking forward to 75 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 3: a really terrific conclusion to what has been a great season. 76 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:20,760 Speaker 5: All right, well, let's talk about the hockey for a 77 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,920 Speaker 5: moment here, because this will be the sixth straight year 78 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:26,880 Speaker 5: that a Florida based team is participating in the Stanley 79 00:04:26,880 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 5: Cup Final. And of course, a lot of people will 80 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:33,240 Speaker 5: talk about the state's tax benefits as a reason why 81 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:35,200 Speaker 5: Florida teams are doing so well. I know that you 82 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 5: and Bill Daily have kind of dismissed that as a factor, 83 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 5: but I'm curious, mister Commissioner, what is it about Florida's 84 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:46,840 Speaker 5: operating environment that enables its teams to consistently outperform. 85 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 3: Well, that's of recent vintage, since we had the salary 86 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 3: cap in the economic system we have in two thousand 87 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,960 Speaker 3: and five six, nobody was talking about this for the 88 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 3: first fifteen in eighteen years. Players choose to go to 89 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 3: teams for lots of reasons, and maybe there's a little 90 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 3: element of local state taxes, but the fact is they 91 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 3: look to go to a market they want to live in, 92 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:18,799 Speaker 3: where they want to raise their families, where. 93 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:19,840 Speaker 4: Their kids will go to school. 94 00:05:19,839 --> 00:05:22,480 Speaker 3: They look at the organization, they look at ownership, they 95 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,679 Speaker 3: look at the coach, they look at the general manager. 96 00:05:26,200 --> 00:05:30,400 Speaker 3: There is the cost of living. And by the way, 97 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 3: if the players are getting paid in US dollars and 98 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 3: they're living in Canada, that sort of offsets any differences 99 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 3: in local taxes. And as I think, you know, players 100 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 3: get taxed by the jurisdictions that they play in on 101 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:47,040 Speaker 3: the road. So I think that gets a little overblown. 102 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 3: I think it's too much of an excuse for clubs 103 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,000 Speaker 3: that may not be performing as well. 104 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 4: As they'd like to. 105 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:54,840 Speaker 3: And I think it's a little bit of an injustice 106 00:05:55,160 --> 00:05:58,000 Speaker 3: to the great job that the ownership and organizations have 107 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:01,480 Speaker 3: done in South Florida in Tampa, and of. 108 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 5: Course the Florida teams were expansion teams, and there's always 109 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 5: going to be a lot of talk as our commissioner 110 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:10,520 Speaker 5: about expansion into other markets like Houston, like Phoenix again, 111 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 5: and like Atlanta again. The NHL currently has thirty two teams, 112 00:06:14,320 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 5: which is kind of considered the sweet spot because the 113 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 5: structure creates this really consistent and clear format for competition 114 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 5: and scheduling. You've got two conferences each with two divisions 115 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 5: with eight teams each. What are team owners specific concerns 116 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 5: about balance if you do pursue expansion in that format changes. 117 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:36,919 Speaker 3: Well, the answer to that question is we're not focused 118 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:40,799 Speaker 3: on a formal expansion process. Yes, we've been getting interest 119 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:43,640 Speaker 3: from a number of places, including the three you mentioned, 120 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:47,479 Speaker 3: but we've said we're not going to announce a date 121 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:51,400 Speaker 3: and if you want an expansion team, everybody apply the criteria. 122 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,080 Speaker 3: At ten thousand feet. We look at our first and 123 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 3: foremost ownership market arena and what does it do to 124 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 3: make the league stronger. And we've told the interested parties 125 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 3: if you're ready to come in and make a presentation 126 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 3: to check those boxes, come talk to us and we'll 127 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,440 Speaker 3: focus on what needs to be done in terms of 128 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:13,480 Speaker 3: what it would do to our structure, our format of 129 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 3: the schedule. That's not something we're even focused on right 130 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 3: now because at the present time, expansion is in front 131 00:07:20,760 --> 00:07:22,200 Speaker 3: and center on our agenda. 132 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:23,960 Speaker 4: For sure. 133 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,680 Speaker 1: I want to ask about the media relationships and the 134 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: way that people here in the US are watching and 135 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: consuming hockey and the way that they're not. Why does 136 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: the NHL Network in your view, not have a streaming 137 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: option or a digital app that you can authenticate with 138 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: a third party cable sign on. Does it feel like 139 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 1: you're leaving money on the table by not offering streaming 140 00:07:44,440 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 1: availability like other leagues do at this point? 141 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 3: Well, actually, we do have a streaming capability. Warner Brothers 142 00:07:55,960 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 3: Discovery streams the games that they have on Max, ESPN 143 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 3: streams US on ESPN Plus. As it relates to the 144 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 3: NHL network itself, we're kind of in a transition period 145 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 3: and we're looking at our options. But ninety nine percent 146 00:08:14,760 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 3: of our games are available either linear or streamed in 147 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 3: the United States, and frankly, to us, the most important 148 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 3: thing in the short term is always making sure that 149 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 3: our games are available to the most number of people, 150 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 3: and we think we do a good job of that 151 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:35,079 Speaker 3: what we do with the NHL network, which relative to 152 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:40,280 Speaker 3: everybody else, has far fewer games. That's something that will 153 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 3: evolve over time with the changing landscape. 154 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 4: But we do have. 155 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:49,800 Speaker 3: A large, full breadth capacity for streaming, both in the 156 00:08:49,960 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 3: US and Canada. 157 00:08:52,040 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 2: Hey, one of the things I do want to ask you, 158 00:08:53,679 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 2: I mean, there's just so much I feel like on 159 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 2: your plan. And you talked about this in your Mister Commissioner, 160 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:01,280 Speaker 2: in your Status of the League address prior to Game 161 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:04,000 Speaker 2: one of the finals, and you talked specifically about the 162 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:08,320 Speaker 2: status of collective bargaining talks that are going on. I'm curious, 163 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 2: what are you hearing, where are you What are the 164 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 2: priorities for the league, and what do you expect to 165 00:09:12,760 --> 00:09:15,360 Speaker 2: be the sticking points? And can you get something done 166 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 2: before the current agreement expires in September. 167 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:24,520 Speaker 3: Actually, the current agreement expires a year from September twenty 168 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:28,560 Speaker 3: six forget me. Yes, yes, so we have plenty of time. 169 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:34,720 Speaker 3: We started having conversations with the union probably end of 170 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:39,439 Speaker 3: February early March. I think we're having good, constructive discussions. 171 00:09:40,240 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 3: I think for the most part, we're on the same 172 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 3: page that it's important to work together. We get together 173 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:50,720 Speaker 3: on a regular basis. We even got together yesterday here 174 00:09:50,720 --> 00:09:55,600 Speaker 3: in Edmonton, and I'm very optimistic that we're going to 175 00:09:55,600 --> 00:09:59,000 Speaker 3: get this done in relatively short order. I don't mean 176 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:02,360 Speaker 3: today or tomorrow, but at the end of the day, 177 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:07,079 Speaker 3: the relationship between the NHL and the NHL Players Association, 178 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:12,680 Speaker 3: which is now under executive director Marty Walsh, was I 179 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 3: think many of you know him as former mayor of 180 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 3: Boston and former Secretary of Labor. We're in a good 181 00:10:19,880 --> 00:10:22,680 Speaker 3: place and I think we're going to get it done, 182 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 3: and I think the best the beneficiary from all of 183 00:10:26,520 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 3: that will not just be the clubs and the players, 184 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:34,160 Speaker 3: but our fans. I'm not anticipating any fundamental problems or 185 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 3: issues that are going to cause us to have fundamental problems. 186 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:39,720 Speaker 5: Are you on the same page when it comes to 187 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:45,000 Speaker 5: international competition? You guys had a very successful for Nations tournament, 188 00:10:45,120 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 5: and we know the NHL players are going back to 189 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 5: the Olympics next year, so I'm sure there is a 190 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:52,400 Speaker 5: desire on both sides to keep the energy of international 191 00:10:52,400 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 5: competition going once the Olympics comes and. 192 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 3: Goes, there's no question about that. So going back in 193 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:01,839 Speaker 3: ancient history because the pre day it's me, the League 194 00:11:01,840 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 3: and the Players Association have been joint partners in the 195 00:11:05,960 --> 00:11:11,080 Speaker 3: execution of international competition, particularly best on best, which is 196 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 3: the Olympics, the World Cup and things like Four Nations 197 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 3: that we did to an outstanding result in terms of 198 00:11:18,960 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 3: fan interest and the competition itself. Prior leaders of the 199 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 3: Players Association, Warrant is immediately focused as Marty is in 200 00:11:30,520 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 3: terms of understanding the importance of moving this effort forward. 201 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,840 Speaker 3: We know that our players, third of which come from 202 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 3: outside of North America, love representing their countries. It's important 203 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 3: to them, which is why the competition at Four Nations 204 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:50,800 Speaker 3: was so good, so competitive, and so compelling, and so 205 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:54,720 Speaker 3: he is focused on not just doing that in terms 206 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 3: of building interest, but it also speaks volumes of how 207 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 3: well we're working together. And so we're looking forward to 208 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 3: having in the Olympics two years later, to the World 209 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 3: Cup two years after that, the Olympics and so on 210 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 3: a regular basis because we know it's great for the game, 211 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:14,960 Speaker 3: it's great for fan interest, and again we know how 212 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:18,199 Speaker 3: important it is for our players to represent the countries 213 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 3: they come from. And I don't think there's anything that 214 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:24,680 Speaker 3: really compares in the international landscape to best on Best 215 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 3: in Hockey. Hey, one thing I. 216 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 2: Do wonder, Commissioner, is where does women's hockey fit into this? 217 00:12:30,240 --> 00:12:32,760 Speaker 2: And we've seen, you know, certainly interested in women's sports 218 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:35,440 Speaker 2: skyrocket on so many different levels, and we've certainly seen 219 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:39,560 Speaker 2: some early success, initial success with the Women's Hockey League, 220 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 2: the PWHL. I'm curious about the involvement by the NHL 221 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:47,200 Speaker 2: specifically when it comes to women's sports and what kind 222 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:50,000 Speaker 2: of investment and solid investment are you guys looking to 223 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:51,199 Speaker 2: maybe do in that area. 224 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 3: Well, certainly at the grassroots level, we're fully supportive in 225 00:12:54,960 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 3: our programs, are very, very inclusive and welcoming. The PWHL, 226 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 3: which is the Women's Professional Hockey League, is off to 227 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 3: a terrific start. They launched very quickly two seasons ago. 228 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:10,439 Speaker 3: We help them get off the ground using our infrastructure 229 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 3: and resources. 230 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 4: And we work well with them. 231 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 3: We try to include them in our major events, and 232 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 3: they just recently announced a two team expansion, so they're 233 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 3: off to a great start. And again we're thrilled and 234 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:27,840 Speaker 3: fully supportive. It's great for the game of hockey. 235 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,559 Speaker 5: Commiser, Let's just return to playoffs for this year. When 236 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 5: you look at viewership numbers, they're actually down about twenty 237 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 5: percent from last year's playoffs. To what extent does that 238 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 5: concern you and do you believe it has any kind 239 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 5: of I don't know, future implications, does it suggest anything 240 00:13:42,840 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 5: about the future of the league? 241 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:48,080 Speaker 3: Actually on a North American basis, which is how we 242 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 3: look at these things, because we're a little bit different 243 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:54,320 Speaker 3: than baseball, basketball, and football, because seven of our thirty 244 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:57,079 Speaker 3: two teams are in Canada and they don't show up 245 00:13:57,160 --> 00:13:58,360 Speaker 3: in US ratings. 246 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:00,720 Speaker 4: But when you look at North America. 247 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 3: As a whole, we're about flat. And you have to 248 00:14:03,600 --> 00:14:07,000 Speaker 3: take into account that this may be the first time 249 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 3: in the history of the NHL where none of the 250 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 3: four original six US teams were in the playoffs. 251 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:19,360 Speaker 4: And that's Chicago, Detroit, New. 252 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:24,080 Speaker 3: York, and Boston, all of which rate extraordinarily well. And 253 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:29,200 Speaker 3: Boston and New York the Rangers had great runs last season, 254 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:31,560 Speaker 3: even though they didn't make it to the Stanley Cup final. 255 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 3: So it's a little bit of apples and oranges. But 256 00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:38,480 Speaker 3: when you look at it on a North American basis, 257 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 3: it's fine. When you look at, for example, Game seven 258 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 3: in last year's Stanley Cup final, which was this is 259 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 3: a redo this year Edmonton and Florida. I think we 260 00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 3: drew sixteen or seventeen million fans North American wide, and 261 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:58,200 Speaker 3: I think we had about nine million in the United States, 262 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 3: and the final game of four Nations was at about 263 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 3: the same level, and so our ratings are strong. We 264 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 3: tend to be a little bit variable. But don't just 265 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:11,880 Speaker 3: look at the US. We won't. 266 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 2: We won't. Thank you so much, busy time for you. 267 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 2: Good luck with Game two.