The Financial Cost of Running a Club
By Claire Miles - April 16, 2023

Do you ever consider the price tag of an NHL franchise when watching a game? Just travel expenses and player salaries, it would seem, should be all that is needed. The management of an NHL franchise involves a lot more, though. Operating expenses, home game proceeds, affiliated companies with which each team partners, and sponsorships are some of these factors. An NHL has a variable purchase price depending on how well the team does. A bigger sum would be required to purchase the Toronto Maple Leafs, as opposed to the Arizona Coyotes. A typical price to buy an NHL team does not exist.

NHL teams typically use flying as their primary source of mobility. They frequently fly on hired aircraft in particular. This makes it easier for teams to travel quickly and easily to their competition location. Some even own their aircraft. Depending on the aircraft size, the price for a chartered flight might range from $1,200 to $10,000 per hour. An NHL game with at least 20 players can thus fly at a price that falls in the center of the range for chartered flights. Additionally, clubs incur high costs when they travel far for away games.

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NHL teams are thought to make between $1.5 million and $3 million from home games. Now let’s talk about the expenses associated with stadium ownership. Teams who own stadiums must account for the cost of energy, real estate taxes, interest, employee wages, and other minor operating expenses. Depending on how many people are working on running the event, employee salaries range from $100,000 to $200,000 every game. Advertising brings in a smaller anticipated amount of money, with each advertisement often costing $50,000 or less.

As a result of having more sponsors and advertisements due to their higher viewership, more well-liked clubs in the league will, nevertheless, surpass that amount. Additionally, the more viewers these more well-known franchises often attract, the more expensive advertising space they can command. The NHL collaborates on a seven-year media deal with Turner Sports and ESPN, which grants them ownership of broadcast rights of NHL games on their web platforms.