Financially The Boston Bruins Remain An Envy Of The League
For the second straight year, the Boston Bruins are estimated to be worth a billion dollars. The Bruins may have been No. 1 on the ice this past season but from a league-wide revenue perspective, they only managed to crack the top-five per Forbes' annual assessment of team values.
The following are the top-five rankings
1. New York Rangers - $1.65 billion
2. Toronto Maple Leafs - $1.5 billion
3. Montreal Canadiens - $1.34 billion
4. Chicago Blackhawks - $ 1.085 billion
5. Boston Bruins - $1 billion
However, it appears the only thing more top-heavy in the NHL than the Bruins offensive production was its league-wide revenues.
Per the article "The league's five most valuable teams... accounted for almost a quarter of the league's revenue- without them, the league would have lost $50 million."
Undeniably the aftermath of a global pandemic but alarming nonetheless when you consider 12 teams failed to crack 500 million dollars. Of those 12 teams, three are located north of the border the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets.
Financial hardships coupled with ensuring a safe working environment have spilled over into planning for this year's hockey season. Without boring you with the details, the current CBA in place calls for an even 50/50 split in revenue amongst the teams and players. Since the league only played in roughly 85% of its games last season due to the unexpected shutdown players were paid more in salary than should have under the pretenses for a shortened season. Essentially enough wasn't withheld via the NHL's escrow account for potential revenue losses. Therefore the players exceeded that 50/50 split, which violated the CBA. A massive victory for the NHLPA/players who have largely played the role of nail to the NHL/Owners' hammer.
Expect some adjustments which account for the financial pitfalls experienced in this years playoff bubble.
Unlike the year prior where a trip to the Stanley Cup Final of their own was largely credited from a revenue perspective for enhancing Boston's value to a billion dollars, they failed to extend its interrupted season beyond the second round falling in five games to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion the Tampa Bay Lightning. Curiously enough this resulted in no financial regression despite a shortened season and bowing out of a fan-less playoff sooner than most anticipated.
Perhaps credit belongs to the city with which the team is located, the fanbase who financially have backed them every step of the way, or the numerous shops and restaurants now featured a few steps outside the doors of TD Garden?
With a preliminary plan for the 2020-2021 NHL season in place Boston appears primed to make their return as one of the NHL's elites on and off the ice. Fingers crossed the players and staff can stay healthy for a full 56 games.