Trump’s Tariff Push Raises NHL Considerations: League Hopes For Return To ‘Regular Actuality’ – Rogers Communications (NYSE:RCI)

President Donald Trump‘s plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on international imports despatched markets decrease on Thursday.

Canada was spared from further tariffs throughout Wednesday’s announcement, however has been a favourite Trump goal. Canada’s economic system may very well be damage by tariffs, which may very well be an issue for American sports activities leagues, particularly the Nationwide Hockey League.

What Occurred: A Canadian NHL group has not gained the Stanley Cup since 1993. Whereas that drought continues to be a key reality on the minds of the seven Canadian NHL groups, they could have larger issues at hand.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was requested about Trump’s newest tariffs and the potential influence on the NHL this week when highlighting a brand new Canadian media rights cope with Rogers Communications RCI.

Bettman stated he would not need to weigh in on politics and hopes that folks use sports activities as an escape from adverse headlines. Though, he acknowledged that the scenario might nonetheless have significant implications.

“I hope what we’re seeing is a second in time and issues can get again to a traditional actuality,” Bettman stated. “I’ve considerations from a enterprise standpoint for the league that if the Canadian economic system suffers by what is going on on that can influence the best way we do enterprise.”

Bettman’s newest feedback comply with a CNBC interview final week by which he stated 25% of the NHL’s league income comes from the seven Canadian groups. He additionally talked about that the salaries are paid in US {dollars}.

“So if the influence of the tariffs is to see the Canadian greenback drop relative to the U.S. greenback, it should make it harder and extra painful.”

On the time, Bettman stated Canadians and Individuals had been probably getting “caught within the center” of a coverage concern.

Learn Additionally: Trump Unveils Large Tariff Plan to Slash $1.2 Trillion Commerce Deficit: ‘Entry To The American Market Is A Privilege’

Why It is Necessary: The NHL’s seven Canadian groups are the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets.

The Maple Leafs are partially owned by two public telecommunications firms. Rogers owns 37.5% of the group, and Bell Canada BCE additionally owns 37.5% of the group. The possession comes by way of the Maple Leaf Sports activities & Leisure mother or father firm. MLSE additionally owns the Nationwide Basketball Affiliation group, the Toronto Raptors, and different sports activities belongings. Rogers owns the Main League Baseball group, the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hockey gear and jerseys are additionally made in Canada and may very well be topic to tariffs, growing prices for the league because it nears the tip of its common season.

In different American sports activities leagues, Canada is much less concerned. Within the NBA it is one Canadian group (Raptors) and the identical for MLB (Blue Jays). The NHL will probably be way more impacted by tariffs on Canada and the nation’s economic system going ahead.

As a commerce warfare probably escalates, followers may get extra partial towards sure groups, as was evidenced with booing of nationwide anthems when Canada and the USA performed one another within the 4 Nations Event earlier this yr.

Worth Motion: Rogers Communications inventory hit a brand new 52-week low of $24.76 earlier this week. The inventory has traded between $24.76 and $41.84 over the past yr, with shares down 15.2% year-to-date in 2025 and down 34.9% over the past yr.

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