Wednesday, July 1, 2026

NHL Adds Another Revenue Stream With Division Sponsors

Discover NHL Board
Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Ahead of its upcoming shortened season, the NHL unveiled sponsors for its four re-aligned divisions as it searches for ways to make up revenue.

The league took a hit from COVID-19, with year-over-year revenue dropping 14%.

The new division partners all have existing relationships with the league. Sponsored divisions are reportedly “viewed as a one-year-only campaign.”

Sponsored Division Names:

  • Discover Central Division
  • Honda West Division
  • MassMutual East Division
  • Scotia North Division

Last month, the league announced that it would allow helmet sponsorships. The NHL reportedly hopes to raise $15 million across all teams for the 2021 season with the helmet ads. 

Most team helmet deals appear to be extensions of the naming rights deals for the arenas those teams play in. For example, Capital One is the helmet sponsor for the Washington Capitals, who play in Capital One Arena.

Currently touted as a trial, the helmet ads could have staying power. The NBA’s jersey patch program has generated more than $150 million for teams since 2017-2018.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Celtics Send Jaylen Brown to Sixers in Swap of Huge Contracts

Paul George is set to make $54 million next year.
Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (right) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

LeBron Watch 2026: Where Does the NBA’s Biggest Free Agent Fit Best?

James won’t return to the Lakers after eight seasons.
Oct 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NBA on Prime reporter Allie Clifton (right) interviews Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Allie Clifton Credits ‘Road Trippin’ for Changing Her Career

Richard Jefferson approached Clifton to join the podcast in 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/1/26 – LeBron Leaves the Lakers, Kawhi to Toronto, Sorsby Drops NFL Fight, Serena Falls at Wimbledon

0:00

Featured Today

June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.

Tottenham Boardroom Rivalry Ends With Former Chairman’s Exit

Spurs say they “don’t know anything about” the deal.
Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28, during the media conference celebrating the 1000-day countdown to LA28 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
May 8, 2026

Wasserman Buyers Narrow as PE Conflicts Sideline Major Firms

Private-equity firm TA Associates has removed itself from the running.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann
May 22, 2026

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
April 23, 2026

Want to Own a 100-Year-Old Austrian Soccer Team for $500?

Vestible’s first team is Kapfenberger SV 1919.
April 16, 2026

How Taylor Swift’s Catalog Led Her Former Label Boss Into Sports

Scott Borchetta profited greatly from the sale of Swift’s masters.
John and Louis Antonelli
Exclusive
April 13, 2026

Chernin Group Leads Funding Round in Social Box Score App ‘Real’

The app combines live stats and play-by-play with a social media experience.
Jack Nicklaus speaks to media prior to the start of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on May 27, 2025.
March 27, 2026

Jack Nicklaus Re-Acquires Nicklaus Companies After Lawsuit

Nicklaus takes back ownership of marks like the iconic Golden Bear.