NHL commissioner Bettman says Canada, U.S. trade war could cause league ‘pain’

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Raises Concerns Over Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on Canadian Dollar

In a recent interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his concerns about the potential negative effects of the Trump administration’s tariffs on the Canadian dollar. Bettman stated that any decline in the Canadian dollar could have a “painful” impact on the league, as the seven Canadian teams currently account for 25% of the NHL’s revenue.

One of the main issues highlighted by Bettman is the fact that Canadian teams pay their players in U.S. dollars. Therefore, a drop in the Canadian dollar relative to the American dollar could create financial difficulties for these teams. The recent implementation of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods by the United States, followed by retaliatory tariffs from Canada, has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.

Despite the escalating trade tensions between the two countries, Bettman emphasized the strong relationship between Canadians and Americans. He mentioned that he has spent a significant amount of time in Canada over the past three decades and has witnessed the deep-rooted affection that Canadians have for Americans. Bettman believes that the current animosity is primarily a “policy issue” and hopes for a speedy resolution to the ongoing trade dispute.

The political tension between Canada and the United States spilled over into the recent NHL-run 4 Nations Face-Off tournament held in Montreal and Boston. The games between the U.S. and Canada were marked by a charged atmosphere, with the American anthem being loudly booed before the U.S.’s 3-1 victory over Canada in the preliminary round in Montreal. In retaliation, American fans booed during Canada’s 3-2 overtime win in the tournament final in Boston.

As the NHL continues to navigate through these challenging times, Bettman remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached to ease the tensions between the two countries. The impact of the trade tariffs on the Canadian dollar and its implications for the league’s Canadian teams remain a top priority for the NHL commissioner.