It comes as no surprise to those who have followed the NHL under Gary Bettman's tenure that Nike did not submit a bid for the NHL's jersey rights. According to Ali Murji's report, Nike decided not to pursue the opportunity, citing unfavorable profit margins. The NHL's jersey rights were ultimately awarded to Fanatics, much to the disappointment of fans.
It's worth noting that Nike already holds uniform rights for the NFL, NBA, and MLB, as well as supplying uniforms for the top 25-ranked IIHF teams. This suggests that Nike is not opposed to working in the hockey industry but has chosen not to do business with the NHL.
This news is yet another knock against Gary Bettman's reputation as NHL commissioner, which has already faced criticism and controversy during his tenure. According to the ranking of the most valuable clothing and apparel brands in the world, Nike ranked first in both 2021 and 2022.
