Former NFL All-Star Sheds Light On A Major Issue In Hockey
It is common to hear parents at youth hockey games criticizing the high fees and costs associated with playing the sport.
The exorbitant price of playing hockey is a major hindrance to the growth of the sport and may have prevented some potential stars from emerging, which has undoubtedly impacted the NHL.
J.J Watt chose football because the high costs of hockey
Over the weekend, former NFL superstar J.J Watt reminisced about how he and his brother had considered playing hockey as children. Regrettably for hockey enthusiasts, J.J Watt ended up choosing football over hockey, citing the sport's high cost as the reason why he and his brother were unable to pursue it.
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Here's why he chose football:
"Safer? No.
Cheaper? Yes.
Biggest barrier to entry for hockey is the expense associated with it.
Soccer is the world's most popular sport in large part because all you need is a ball.
Hockey equipment is expensive, kids constantly grow out of sizes, ice time is scarce, etc."
The decision for such athletic talents to turn away from hockey due to its high cost is a significant loss for the sport. This has implications for various aspects of hockey, including its diversity in the league.
Previously on Daily Hockey Dose
POLL |
18 MARS | 247 ANSWERS Former NFL All-Star Sheds Light On A Major Issue In Hockey Do you think hockey is too expensive? |
Yes | 217 | 87.9 % |
No | 30 | 12.1 % |
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