By JD Lagrange – The iconic Montreal Canadiens’ jersey, a symbol of purity, glory and history, has officially become an advertising billboard. Yes folks, we are one step closer to those atrocious European leagues’ jerseys. We predicted it would happen when the NHL used the lost revenues due to COVID to justify putting advertising on the helmets. And here we are…
For this traditionalist, a five decades proud fan of of this league, but mostly this team’s history, it is a sad, sad day. You see, I love the cleanliness of the NHL jerseys. They represent NHL hockey, the cities where those teams play. And I have always hated (I know, it’s a strong word) European jerseys only because of their multicoloured patches all over.
Oh but it’s only one logo, some say. They must keep up with the times, others claim. No. No they don’t have to. And like I’ve predicted when they flinched for the helmet publicities, they will have two sponsors in the near future… then three… and four… Why? Money.
Some claim that Gary Bettman has taken this league to another level, by increasing revenues. Yes, yes he has. But he has done so at the expense of the game itself. Over-expansion with expansion fees inflating league revenues has diluted the talent and forced incompetent referees to be promoted at a level too fast for them. That is just one example. This league will sell its soul to the devil for a buck, and it’s painful to see that Canadiens’ President Geoff Molson has accepted that, even encouraged it by folding to what he calls “evolution”.
But you see, how I feel doesn’t matter to this league. Those rule changes, the over-expansion, the rigged refereeing and “Players Safety” (yeah, right)… They do what they want as they know that fans are like sheep and will go along with whatever they do or say.
But not this guy. In fact, I make this promise: I will do anything in my power to never, ever buy any products from the sponsors on the Canadiens’ jerseys.
I can’t do it, you think? It will blow over, you say? Think again, as you don’t know this stubborn old man! The last time I made such promise was back in 2012, based on if Gary Bettman and the NHL went through yet another lockout. That’s when I swore not to buy any NHL products, including tickets to games, merchandise, NHL Center Ice, etc, for a period of five years. Guess what? I stood by my words. And I will do the same again on this. You want to look like clowns for a buck? Not at my expenses.
Now this is simply one man’s opinion. You may agree or disagree, there is no right or wrong. Just as I will respect your opinion on the topic, I’m hoping that you can do the same for mine. I’m expecting the fan base to be quite divided on this. Can we drop the puck already!
More reading…
- Captain Nick – Young, Yes, But Ready by JD Lagrange
- Baby Habs Set To Hit The Ice by JD Lagrange
- Hughes: Good, Gutsy And Opportunistic by JD Lagrange
Well said