The NHL hasn’t decided whether or not they will allow players to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, but it has already been reported that there is a “strong negative sentiment” from the league’s owners. That negative view may represent the majority, but it doesn’t reflect the views of Washington Capitals owners Ted Leonsis.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has stated how much the Olympics mean to him, even going as far as to say he’d participate even if the NHL does not. Those comments have been heard by Leonsis and the Caps owner fully supports that desire.
Via ESPN.com:
“He knows I have his back on this one. If this is what’s so important to him and he wants to go to the Olympics, he should be able to do that. Alex has meant so much to us. He doesn’t ask for much back. … I’m not shy about saying it, I would support the player in this instance.”
Leonsis appears to be in the minority based on recent comments from Gary Bettman and Bill Daly.
Via Sportsnet:
“I think after doing five of these, I don’t know, fatigue might be a word (to describe it),” Bettman said of the owners’ reaction.
“I think our constituents have become increasingly negative toward the Olympic experience,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly added. “I think that’s fair to say.”
The NHL’s future with the Olympics seemed to be on the chopping block as soon as the World Cup of Hockey was announced. The 2016 World Cup didn’t exactly go as planned as the profits made during the tournament were reportedly 50% below expectation, but that slow initial growth apparently hasn’t phased the league’s desire to focus on it as their main international tournament. The NHL had hoped the World Cup would generate new revenue and assist in marketing the league abroad, but it appears neither are happening.
The Winter Olympics conversation has sounded like a classic players vs. owners argument, but now it’s clear at least one owner is ready to jump party lines.
