Haiti bails out National Hockey League
January 21, 2010 · 17 Comments
News item: NHL donates $100,000 to Haiti relief
On behalf of its member clubs, the National Hockey League donated $100,000 to UNICEF in support of that organization’s efforts to help the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
Internet joke from Sports Pickle.com:
The beleaguered Haitian government announced plans today to redirect $1 million from its treasury to the National Hockey League, identifying the NHL’s need after the league donated only $100,000 to Haitian relief efforts — far short of the $1 million or more given by the other three major professional sports. ”When we learned what the NHL was able to donate, we thought, ‘Wow, times must be really tough’,” said Jalbert Riel, a spokesperson for President René Préval. “Luckily, we’ve been blessed with a wonderful outpouring of generosity from across the globe, so we thought it was time to give something back.”
The donation comes as welcome relief for the NHL, which has long suffered under the weight of a shoddy national television deal and near-constant criticism from the general public surrounding hockey’s violent nature. The recent elimination of DirecTV subscribers from its potential viewership and the continued dwindling attendance figures of its teams in the Southern United States means the donation could not come at a better time for the league.
The Haitian government does not have any preference as to how the money would be spent. Riel said that it is “really up to them. They could give it to that team in Phoenix, put it towards marketing efforts, or even use it as an incentive to hire a real commissioner. But from our perspective, the gift comes with no strings attached.”
In a brief statement, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the league would be accepting the donation “begrudgingly, but with gratitude.”
The commissioner is also reportedly considering using the money to purchase Television Nationale D’Haiti (TNH) and making it the exclusive broadcast partner of the NHL.
Filed under Article Posts · · 
Email This Article
Sea Otter -
Just to clear up any confusion regarding the NHL’s “distribution” policy. The league does not have regular team disbursements like the other major professional sports leagues. They generate little to nothing in sponsorship and national broadcast revenue. What little they do generate goes directly to “league initiatives”,and not to the member clubs.
Pat
Embarrassment # 789 for the NHL.
I know the Flames are donating their share of the 50-50 draw for 3 games to Haitian relief, The first game was $24,000 so I would expect the total to be around $75,000….. yes the total take was $48,000 on the first game
This isn't in poor taste, the NHL is in poor taste. The Montréal Canadiens, by themselves, gave as much money to Haiti as the NHL, plus Habs' fans raised another 60,000$, so, all told, the Habs and their fans sent 160,000$ to Haiti. The NHL: 100,000$. Most other professional leagues gave upwards of $1 million. Hell, Samuel Dalembert of the 76ers gave as much as the NHL. The NHL is looking pathetic here.
People should be grateful anything was given. There are lots of worthwhile causes out there and Haiti is only one of them. If Dalembert wants to give – good for him. Did he give to other countries that suffered similar disasters previously? He just happens to be from Haiti so no surprise, really.
there are several teams donating on their own. Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal…just to name 3. I'm sure there are more.
this would push the NHL as a whole to a larger figure than $100,000.
NHL what a joke. A bunch of toothless knuckle dragger's who are millionaires and sare stupid to know what to do with the money. Cement heads! All of them!
Does the NHL not know embarassment? $100,000 donated to Haiti? Bettman you cheap bastard!
The NHL, though, is really just an administrative body, a collection of the 30 franchises. Any money the League would give is money that they have to collect, or withhold, from all of their members. It is far better for the League to allow individual teams to coordinate any charitable giving they wish to do. I will guarantee that this is the approach the owners want the League to take.
This is actually an article from Sports Pickle.
Bill, it's common courtesy to link back to the original work:
http://www.sportspickle.com/article:573/haiti-to-...
Didn't know. I will.
Plagiarism (n) The unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.
William, you are a plagiarist.
Claiming you "didn't know" is not an acceptable excuse.
Dude — he gave credit at the top of the piece by saying "Internet joke from Sports Pickle.com" in bold print. That's not plagiarism. He's clearly not claiming to have made up the joke himself.
Hey buddy (VoiceofReason?)… you STOLE my handle on this blog… that is just plain theft. You must feel so g.d. proud of yourself? The point of the blog is that the NHL is cheap, not where the article originated…
This is really in poor taste
No poor taste at all. Surely this group of multi-millionaires, as a league, good do more than a mesely 100 grand. I mean, sure any amount helps, but I'm sure they spent more on their spin doctors who quickly announced this figure to the press, hoping to dance in the spot-light of good PR. (Why else gloat about your contribution!! Shouldn't true charity be humble!!) Maybe I am too cynical, but it does seem so underwhelming.
Really? I think the NHL only donating $100K when the other three major leagues dontated $1million each is in really poor taste, but that's just me.