Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Media & Entertainment Law Blogs -> Sports Biz

Media & Entertainment Law

: Sports Biz

Should the NHL Fear Russia?

By Mark

There was an interesting article in the New York Times yesterday about the return of numerous Russian and European hockey players to Russia to play and the concerted efforts being put in by Russian officials to upgrade the Russian Superliga in an attempt to provide a meaningful alternative to the NHL. While the focus of the article was on Alexi Yashin, a former star who had what could be charitably termed a tumultuous last few years in the NHL with the Islanders, and was bought out of the final four years of his contract for over $17 million. Yashin is 34 and his skills are not what they once were. Yet, he has convinced his supermodel wife, Carol Alt, to join him, when shes not working, in remote Yaroslavl where he plays for the local entrant in the Superliga, Lokomotiv.

Nevertheless, despite what my friends at The Sports Economist believe, I would not dismiss the Russians out of hand. Oil wealth and political power, combined with potential for a viable European league could join to give the NHL a real problem down the road. For the next few years, as the Russian flex their economic muscles, expect increasing fights over young players. The Russian hockey federation and the Superliga have not signed agreements with the NHL regarding transfer rights and I would not anticipate that they will sign one anytime soon. The next Ovechkin and Malkin will not get of Russia quite so easily (not that Malkin got out that easily as it was). With the Winter Olympics coming to Russia in 2014, look for the Russians to try and build a European league before then that can build off the hype generated by the Games.
Just what Bettman needs - yet another problem he can't figure out, and one with a better TV contract.

Full post as published by Sports Biz on March 02, 2008 (boomark / email).