Full Breakdown
Gary Bettman's Concerns Over Olympic Hockey Scheduling
2/26/2026, 8:58:55 AM
High Viewership Amid Scheduling Challenges
The recent Olympic gold medal game between the United States and Canada garnered significant attention, attracting 18.6 million viewers on NBC, with numbers spiking to 26 million during the overtime period when Jack Hughes scored, marking the U.S.'s first Olympic gold in men's hockey since 1980. These figures represent NBC's second-best Olympic hockey rating ever, indicating a successful return for NHL players after their absence from the 2018 and 2022 Games. However, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed concerns that the early start time of 8:10 a.m. ET limited potential viewership, suggesting that the game could have attracted millions more viewers if scheduled later.
Scheduling Conflicts and IOC Restrictions
The early morning start was necessitated by the Olympic organizers' decision to hold the Closing Ceremony on the same day in Verona, approximately two hours from the hockey venue in Milan. This scheduling required a local start time of 2:10 p.m. to allow teams adequate time to celebrate and travel to the ceremony. Bettman highlighted the contrast with the 2010 Olympic gold medal game in Vancouver, which aired at 3:15 p.m. ET and attracted 27.6 million viewers, emphasizing how timing can significantly impact ratings.
Looking Ahead to Future Olympics
The 2030 Winter Olympics are set to take place in the French Alps, and Bettman is already in discussions with the new IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, regarding potential scheduling adjustments. Despite the similar time zone to Italy, Bettman is exploring options to optimize viewer engagement. Additionally, he expressed frustration over the IOC's restrictions on the NHL's use of Olympic footage for marketing purposes, which he believes undermines the goal of promoting hockey in North America.
Criticism of IOC's Approach
Bettman’s concerns extend beyond scheduling; he is also critical of the IOC's historical tendency to prioritize the interests of broadcasters and sponsors over the needs of individual leagues. While he remains hopeful about the outcomes of his discussions with Coventry, the IOC's track record suggests that significant concessions may not be forthcoming.
Future Prospects
Looking further ahead, the 2034 Winter Olympics will be hosted in Salt Lake City, which Bettman believes will resolve the time zone issues, allowing for primetime broadcasts across North America. However, he is apprehensive about the eight-year wait for this solution, questioning whether the IOC will be willing to accommodate the NHL's needs in the interim.
Verbatim Quotes
- “While we did a terrific rating, I’ve been told by reliable sources in the broadcasting business that the rating could’ve been twice as high,” — Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
- “That’s an odd restriction considering the whole reason for NHL participation was supposed to be growing hockey’s profile, at least in North America.” — Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
- “Bettman hopes for positive outcomes from his discussions with Coventry, but historically, the IOC prioritizes the interests of broadcasters and sponsors over individual leagues.” — Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner
