The Varsity Can the NHL Find Its Groove?
Mar 8, 2026
Gary Bettman, longtime NHL commissioner who has steered league growth and media deals, discusses hockey’s Olympic tradeoffs and how international play affects scheduling and exposure. He talks TV rights, streaming strategies, and why a Paramount-WBD tie-up could help. Expansion criteria and franchise valuations come up, plus the league’s tech and integrity moves.
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Ratings Surge Driven By On‑Ice Product
- TV ratings jumped sharply this season and rose again after the Olympics.
- Bettman cites a 29% pre-Olympics increase and another 23% post-Olympics, driven by skillful, unpredictable play and playoff races.
Commissioner Bettman Binge Watched Heated Rivalry
- Bettman binged HBO's Heated Rivalry series to understand its impact and found it unprecedented in driving interest.
- He watched the whole run, met the showrunner, and calls it a second season-worthy force of nature.
Combine Local Solutions With League Support
- Teams should pursue hybrid local strategies while leagues help with distribution and production.
- Bettman expects some clubs to stay on RSNs, others to stream direct or go over-the-air, with NHL providing an app and production support.