College hockey is a fast-paced and exciting game to watch, whether you are a fan of the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, or New York Rangers. The speed and skill of the players make for some incredible comebacks and breathtaking shots that you just don’t see often outside of the sport. Due to the popularity of the game, there are a variety of jerseys, hats, and apparel that you can choose from if you are a hockey fan. One thing you won’t find, however, are many sponsored jerseys from companies like Under Armour, Adidas, and Newell’s. That’s because college hockey is considered a nonprofit sport, which makes the gear very cheap. Here is a look at whether or not college hockey is a scam based on the cost of the jerseys compared to their sponsorship value.
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Cost-Effective
The cost-effectiveness of college hockey is apparent when comparing the salaries of NCAA hockey players to other major sports. According to a New York Times report, average NHL salaries are roughly $7 million per year, and NFL salaries are about $3.5 million per year. A Boston Globe report from earlier this year put the figure at $11 million per year for the NBA, and $9.5 million per year for the MLB. When compared to these sports, the cost of attending a hockey game is relatively low. The US Department of Education’s National Institutes of Health study on hockey’s economic impact also supported this claim. The study stated that “compared to the NBA, the MLB, and the NHL, NCAA hockey had the highest employment impact and presented the greatest opportunity for growth.
It isn’t only the comparison of hockey’s salaries to other sports that are indicative of the game’s cost-effectiveness. The equipment, too, is much more affordable. While it would take a large fortune to fully outfit an NHL team, it wouldn’t take much to own a pair of hockey pants, a jersey, and a pair of football pads.
These items are much more affordable for students, owing largely to the fact that the equipment is either hand-medown from a father or grandparent, or donated by a sportswear company. The equipment isn’t as expensive as you would think, especially considering how much it costs to attend an NHL game. When compared to, for example, the average cost of an NBA game (approximately $1,000 per ticket), it’s clear that students find value in hockey’s financials, and it presents an opportunity for students to play a game that they otherwise couldn’t afford.
Boom Or Bust
One of the most significant downsides to college hockey is its volatility. Just like many other professional sports, the cost of playing can vary from year to year. While the cost may be somewhat consistent in the middle and upper tiers of the NCAA, it can vary significantly from year to year in the lower divisions. This makes it incredibly difficult to forecast how much a sport will be worth engaging in.
The good news is that unlike many other professional sports, there is an upper limit to how much an NCAA hockey player’s salary can go up, and it isn’t infinitely high. This cap, known as the basketball limitation, limits the increase in pay that an NHL player can receive to the rising cost of basketball schools’ education. Due to this cap, the average NHL salary hasn’t increased since the 1976-77 season. While this may not seem like a good thing on the surface, it provides some stability to the game’s finances. If this cap was removed, it is entirely possible that NHL players’ salaries would shoot up, and the game would become unaffordable for students. This would certainly hurt the game financially, as well as make it nearly impossible for young people to participate in the sport.
The Opportunity
Thanks to the low cost of attending and playing hockey, as well as the cap on player salaries, there is significant room to grow the game both in the United States and Canada. The United States Hockey Academy, a varsity hockey program designed for high school students, and the Junior Berington Hockey Club, a junior hockey program for teens, are examples of how the cost of playing the game can be considerably reduced, while also providing a valuable experience. For instance, the Hockey Academy costs $300 to $500 per year, while a participation in the Junior Berington Hockey Club is free.
There are, however, a few hiccups that you need to be aware of if you decide to play hockey. One of the most significant is that it isn’t easy to make it to the NHL if you aren’t drafted, or if you don’t qualify as an international graduate. If you do make it to the NHL, the pay isn’t great, and it can be difficult to afford the game, especially if you want to continue playing after you graduate. It also doesn’t help that many players get hurt, whether it’s through fishing for talent during free time, or because they take risks while playing. This makes insurance expensive, and can leave you with a huge financial burden.
Considering all these factors, it is clear that playing hockey isn’t for everyone, but it certainly has its perks. If you are a student looking for a way to have some fun on your lunch break, or if you are an aspiring professional player, the low cost of playing the game can make it worth your while. Just make sure that you are aware of all the risks, as well as the financial responsibilities that come with the game. These things can’t be simply overlooked if you want to have a successful career in hockey.