NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on team valuations, possible expansion and prediction markets

NHL Valuations and Financial Performance - The average NHL team is now worth $22 billion, a 15% jump from last year [1] - Toronto Maple Leafs are valued at $43 billion, topping the list [1][2] - NHL valuations have increased roughly 100% over the last three years [2] - The new national deal in Canada is about two and a half times larger than the previous 12-year deal with Rogers [7] - NHL expansion will only be considered if it starts with a $2 billion expansion fee [10] Media Deals and Revenue - Regional sports networks are healthier in Canada than in the US [6] - The importance of live sports content is holding its own in a fragmented marketplace [7] - NHL has deals in place with Walt Disney Company (ESPN, ABC) and Time Warner Discovery [8] Competitive Balance and Future Prospects - The league has never been more competitive, and franchises have never been healthier [9] - NHL has the best competitive balance of the major sports due to its cost certainty system [13] - The league is optimistic about future prospects due to the product on the ice and increased valuations [9] Prediction Markets and Integrity - NHL has aligned with the prediction market to give fans access to real data and maintain control [16][17] - The league monitors betting and prediction lines to prevent cheating [17] - Sports betting entities or the prediction market entities gives the ability to have more control and to observe more closely exactly what's going on [18]