It’s behind a paywall, but Sportico is reporting that NHL jerseys will include a 3″x3.5″ advertiser’s logo on their jerseys for the 2022-2023 season:
EXCLUSIVE: The @NHL is adding advertisements to its jerseys for the 2022-23 season https://t.co/5HibbGIlYJ pic.twitter.com/HHkkV5ElyT— Sportico (@Sportico) August 17, 2021
Update: Here’s a peek behind the paywall:
The National Hockey League is adding advertisements to its jerseys for the 2022-23 season, the latest major U.S. sports league to sell marketing space on player uniforms during games.
The NHL board of governors unanimously voted to approve the ad policy, according to a memo emailed this week to all 32 teams. Clubs are now free to start negotiating with potential partners, according to the memo, which was reviewed by Sportico.
The ads must fit a rectangle 3 inches by 3.5 inches, making them slightly bigger than the patches that the NBA added to its jerseys for the 2017-18 season. Representatives from the NHL didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Update: More confirmation:
Sources: NHL’s Board of Governors have approved jersey advertising beginning with 2022-23 season (@sportico first). SBJ first reported on 4/17 that jersey ads could come as early as 2022-23.
More details to come shortly on @sbjsbd…— Mark J. Burns (@markjburns88) August 17, 2021
NHL owners have unanimously approved jersey patches for the 2022-2023 season, per @novy_williams.
Teams are now free to sell the 3 x 3.5 inch ad space to partners.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said teams earned more than $100M through helmet ads last season. pic.twitter.com/oOtrYco7Bf— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 17, 2021
I know that advertising on NHL jerseys was inevitable. I know that it’s “no big deal.” But I have every right to dislike the concept, and I do dislike it.
We’ll learn to live with it, but I sure as shit hope that the ads are vetted.— George Malik (@georgemalik) August 17, 2021
“Very, very, very disappointing. And I say that with a lot of sadness.”
I think it was inevitable, especially once they put ads on their helmets. And other sports do it already so the door was open.