The NHL definitely is on the upswing both on and off the ice. In 2024-25, league revenue reached $6.5 billion, and earlier this year it agreed to a 12-year extension with Rogers Communications to receive $7.7 billion over that time to have the media giant broadcast its games across Canada. With respect to its global media rights, this year the NHL will pull in over $1 billion.
The best evidence for the financial success discussed above is the continuous increase in the salary cap. The cap stands at $95.5 million this season, which is up from last year’s limit of $88 million. The fact that it will increase further to $104 million in 2026-27 has given rise to concerns that this will result in a competitive imbalance between large-market and small-market teams. To that end, a revenue-sharing arrangement exists within the new collective bargaining agreement designed to address this potential issue.
The popularity of the league is obvious, even at a casual glance. League attendance reached an unprecedented 23 million fans last season. This increase in fan interest, coupled with the high caliber of play offered to those fans throughout the league, spells good things now and in the future for the NHL.