Photo: Awful Announcing
The NHL is making initial moves to officially skip the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. The NHL’s participation has been up in the air for the last year or so.
Nothing has been finalized, but the NHL has made an official inquiry about skipping the games.
Bettman says unlikely owners will pay for privilege to shutdown the League for 2 1/2 weeks without IOC contributing what it has in past.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) November 14, 2016
Bettman said he has inquired about NHL skipping PyeongChang in 2018 and going to Beijing in 2022. No answer given yet. Lots up in the air.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) November 14, 2016
Gary Bettman at @PrimeTimeSE in Toronto says decision on Olympic participiation will come likely sometime in January.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) November 14, 2016
League officials will meet with the International Ice Hockey Federation in New York on Wednesday. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the NHL hopes to learn if any traction has been made between the IIHF and the International Olympic Committee with regard to potential sticking points, including money issues. NHL officials have expressed concerns that the IOC is not willing to cover out-of-pocket payments it took care of at the past five Olympics.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said those costs were upward of $10 million during a two-week hiatus next season.
The Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin has stated several times that he will participate in the games, regardless of the NHL’s decision to participate or not. Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has publicly stated that he will back his Captain’s decision.
By Jon Sorensen
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