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Forbes
a day ago
- Sport
- Forbes
NHL And Serie A Team Up For Milestone Winter Olympics Partnership
Soccer and ice hockey, two sports staged in rectangular arenas with outfielders, goalkeepers, and not much else in common. Until today. Just months before the Olympic Winter Games get underway in Milano Cortina, for the first time ever, a North American sports league and a European soccer league unite for a common cause - reaching new frontiers. With an eye on expanding its presence into foreign markets, Serie A has announced a partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), with marquee events scheduled throughout mid-August in Milan and its surrounding areas. Top NHL players are not only invited to the training grounds of Italy's most prestigious soccer clubs, they will also attend official Serie matches at the Stadio San Siro, where AC Milan host newly-promoted side Cremonese and Inter Milan take on Torino on match day Inter Milan players and staff parade on buses to celebrate the 'scudetto' after the Italian Serie A ... More football match between Inter Milan and Torino outside the San Siro Stadium in Milan, on April 28, 2024. Inter clinched their 20th Scudetto with a 2-1 victory over AC Milan on April 22, 2024. (Photo by Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP) (Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images) The first-of-its-kind collaboration, led by Serie A North America CEO Andy Mitchell and NHL President of Business Keith Wachtel, aims to capture special moments that can be shared with fans of both sports. 'As a global sport with players from 21 countries, the NHL is thrilled to collaborate with Lega Serie A to create unique content that celebrates the intersection of hockey and soccer,' explains Wachtel. Current and former Serie A players will strive to promote Italian culture as they team up with some of the NHL's biggest stars to create a unique brand of content, highlighting the connections between the two sports. 'With the Winter Olympics on the horizon, Milan will serve as a focal point for sports fans around the world, so we are delighted to take the opportunity to promote our top hockey players in the environment of the biggest sport in Italy,' Wachtel added. EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 04: Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates after scoring the ... More game-winning goal to beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 during overtime in Game One of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on June 04, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by) Despite the unwavering support for winter sports in Italy, soccer remains the country's most popular sport. And with plenty of ice hockey stars scheduled to compete at next February's Winter Olympics (the NHL has confirmed a 19-day break to allow players to represent their countries), the opportunity to cross-promote is too juicy to leave on the table for Mitchell. 'In North America, both soccer and hockey have incredibly dedicated, passionate fan bases,' Mitchell said on Tuesday. 'This collaboration with the NHL and the NHLPA allows us to engage with a global audience in new and exciting ways while celebrating the anticipation surrounding the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.' And the Serie A Managing Director understands the potential upside for the NHL when it comes to targeted expansion. 'Italy has a strong base of hockey fans, especially in the north, and with the 2026 Winter Olympic Games taking place in Milan and Cortina, this is the perfect moment for the NHL to deepen its presence in a growing market.' 'Working with Serie A gives the NHL a credible, built-in platform to reach Italian and European audiences through soccer—the dominant sport in the region. It's a win-win: the NHL gets to expand its footprint in Italy, and we're able to increase the visibility of Serie A to new fans in North America.' TURIN, ITALY - JULY 4: Jonathan David of Juventus arrives for medical tests at Jmedical on July 4, ... More 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) Canadian and American soccer players have gained widespread recognition in Italy over the past few years. Following a stint with Inter, Tajon Buchanan is now linked with a move to Serie B champions Sassuolo, with Les Rouges teammate Jonathan David recently making the leap from Lille to Juventus. Meanwhile, the US National Men's Team (USMNT) is well represented, with Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie currently at Juventus. Kristoffer Lund has taken Sicily by storm at Palermo FC, while Gianluca Busio has established himself at Venezia FC. However, visiting NHL players will have the opportunity to see AC Milan's American duo Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic take to the field on the opening day of the Serie A season. And there are USMNT links dating back beyond Alexi Lalas's spell at Padova. The former defender spent two seasons in Serie A, from 1994 to 1996, just as Serie A legend Marco Materazzi's career was taking off at Perugia. Andrea Pirlo, Mika Zibanejad and Marco Materazzi pictured at Madison Square Garden, home of the New ... More York Rangers (March 2025). Now an acting Serie A Ambassador, Materazzi is again expected to feature in more NHL-Serie A content after his collaboration with New York Rangers' center Mika Zibanejad and former New York City FC midfielder Andrea Pirlo at Madison Square Garden in March. 'By bringing Lega Serie A legends and NHL stars together, we aim to create a synergy that showcases the best of each league, creating an unforgettable experience for fans on both sides of the Atlantic,' Mitchell added. Of course, more of the same can be expected at the opening ceremony in February, which will take place at the San Siro. Indeed, an event of such magnitude takes precedence over all others, with both Inter and AC Milan forced to play their Serie A home matches elsewhere. With that in mind, Lega Serie A has proposed another history-making event: playing the first-ever European soccer league match on foreign soil, in Australia, with AC Milan set to play Como 1907 in Perth. Engaging new fans appears to be an important part of Serie A's global push forward, and their NHL partnership could only be the beginning. 'We are always seeking collaboration opportunities with other sports teams and federations that have an organic tie-in to our work at Serie A in the U.S. and Canada,' Mitchell continued. 'We've seen how powerful it can be when two passionate fan bases are united by shared values of tradition, sporting excellence, and authenticity. We're open to partnerships that help us tell the story of Serie A in a way that resonates with North American audiences, and the NHL collaboration is a great example of how a smart, culturally aligned partnership can elevate both brands.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Draisaitl donates 29 ice hockey kits to boyhood Cologne club
Ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl, player for the Edmonton Oilers in the US National Hockey League, talks to young players in the training hall of the Cologne Sharks. Federico Gambarini/dpa Ice hockey star Leon Draisaitl is donating 29 sets of equipment to his boyhood club Cologne for youngsters to use both this season and next. The number corresponds to his jersey number at the NHL's Edmonton Oilers, who lost the Stanley Cup to Florida Panthers last month. Advertisement The Cologne-born player visited the training centre of the Haie (Sharks) on Tuesday. "It's very emotional for me to return to where it all began," the 29-year-old told reporters. "Without the support I received as a young player in Cologne, I wouldn't be where I am today – I want to give a little bit of that back." In his German hometown, Draisaitl is rarely recognized on the street despite being a big star in North America. "I've always aimed to advance ice hockey in Germany – even though it's tough against soccer," he joked.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
John Tavares Makes Obvious Admission About Maple Leafs Extension
John Tavares Makes Obvious Admission About Maple Leafs Extension originally appeared on Athlon Sports. John Tavares will play for the Toronto Maple Leafs through the 2028–29 season, and according to the captain himself, the financial terms he agreed to weren't the most lucrative offered to him. Advertisement Tavares officially announced his four-year, $17.52 million extension on Friday. The deal includes a full no-move clause through June 2027 and a modified, five-team no-trade clause active for the final two seasons of the contract. The 34-year-old forward made the reveal via his foundation's Instagram account. 'Coming to Toronto 7 years ago has been better than I ever anticipated," Tavares wrote. "I'm thrilled to announce that I'm committed to four more years! My family and I are excited to continue our journey here in Toronto.' During a Zoom call with reporters after the extension became official, Tavares admitted he could have earned significantly more on the open market. Advertisement 'Even though I left some money out there, I've done pretty well,' Tavares said. 'I'm still doing pretty well, and I get to play for an amazing club and a great city, a place where I'm from, and a team that's got a real opportunity to win.' According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, one offer topped out at two years and $16 million. Still, Tavares made it clear money wasn't the deciding factor. Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) warms Klement-Imagn Images Meanwhile, general manager Brad Treliving praised Tavares for setting the tone in negotiations. "We would all agree there was going to be an opportunity to make a lot more money elsewhere," Treliving said. "His focus was on staying here. His work, his commitment, and his desire steered the process on this negotiation." Advertisement "Full marks and credit to John and his representatives, and on our side, Brandon Pridham. It was a team effort, and it was led by John." Related: Paul Bissonnette Hears of 'Agreed-Upon' Brad Marchand-Maple Leafs Deal Related: 'We're Fortunate': Maple Leafs' GM Sounds Off on Mitch Marner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Men's and women's hockey schedules for 2026 Milan Olympics released
The International Ice Hockey Federation unveiled the schedule Tuesday for the men's and women's tournaments at the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Women's hockey starts on Feb. 5 with the U.S. against Czechia and Canada versus Finland among the opening games. The U.S. and Canada renew their rivalry in the preliminary round on Feb. 10, and the gold-medal game is set for Feb. 19.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Men's and women's hockey schedules for 2026 Milan Olympics released
FILE - The Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is seen under construction in Assago, Italy, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File) The International Ice Hockey Federation unveiled the schedule Tuesday for the men's and women's tournaments at the 2026 Olympics in Milan and Cortina. Women's hockey starts on Feb. 5 with the U.S. against Czechia and Canada versus Finland among the opening games. The U.S. and Canada renew their rivalry in the preliminary round on Feb. 10, and the gold-medal game is set for Feb. 19. Advertisement Men's hockey with the return of NHL players opens the following day with Finland facing Slovakia and host Italy against Sweden. Without Russia in the 12-team field, the U.S. is grouped with Germany, Latvia and Denmark and will play each of them in a round robin. The U.S. opens Feb. 12 against Latvia, the same day Canada faces Czechia. The NHL's best are participating for the first time since 2014 in Sochi. 'It's great that the NHL players are back in the Olympics,' U.S. general manager Bill Guerin said. 'Obviously it's the biggest sports stage in the world, and we're all happy we're back involved.' No teams are eliminated from group play on the men's side. The top four advance to the quarterfinals, with the remaining eight taking part in a qualification round. Advertisement Games will take place on NHL-sized rinks at Milano Santagiulia and Milano Rho arenas. The final is scheduled for Feb. 22 as the last event of the Olympics before the closing ceremony. The schedule release came a day after the federations involved announced the first six players named to their respective rosters. The U.S. picked all skaters: forwards Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel and defensemen Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy. Finland is the defending Olympic champion from the Beijing bubble in 2022, when the NHL pulled out because of pandemic-related scheduling issues, and the Russians won in 2018. Canada has won the past two involving NHL players, and GM Doug Armstrong hopes for a third. 'I'm excited about our group," Armstrong said. "I know our group wants to go there and wants to put their best foot forward. There's no guarantees in this sport, but I know we're going to go with the right attitude.' ___ AP NHL:
