![]() “There's a next level of endorsements and financial rewards obviously for the player and their families that the leagues I think just have to acknowledge and get ahead of it.”īedard signed a Western Hockey League standard player agreement contract, which provides him with league exposure, and a fully guaranteed scholarship along with many other perks. “I think this is a new conversation where there's a next level of marketing,” said Mander. Mander wants to see the governing body for the WHL, the Canadian Hockey League, do more to help players earn endorsements. Bedard is allowed endorsement deals right now. He's quite a large brand already.”Īccording to Mander, NHL players can make in the millions of dollars in endorsement deals, which Bedard could be in line for with the notoriety he is creating for himself in the WHL. “There's definitely opportunities for a player like him, no matter his age, whether it's cars, insurance, food, you name it. “I think there's definitely money still left on the table,” said Mander. Mander represents young NHL prospects and he says there could have been more done to maximize the monetization of the young superstar. “He's getting obviously an awful amount of notoriety and I think something he's experiencing that he's going to remember for the rest of his life.” He is a projected number one pick for the 2023 NHL Draft, creating a buzz fans want to see, according to CKM Sports Management agent Cliff Mander. His fame has built off his success at the nationally televised World Junior Championship, where he helped Team Canada capture a gold medal. ![]() “There's a tremendous impact that Connor Bedard provides, obviously to the Western Hockey League, and more specifically to the Regina Pats,” Willoughby said. On Friday, he sold out a game in Lethbridge forcing the club to start selling standing room-only tickets, and on Saturday packed Medicine Hat’s Arena with over 6,100 fans. ![]() To put that into perspective - the Calgary Flames had only sold out the Saddledome four times prior to that. That added revenue comes through enhanced ticket sales, which in turn creates more money in parking, merchandise, concessions sales and other revenue streams, says Willoughby.īedard sold out the Saddledome last Wednesday, bringing in over 16,000 fans. “If you were to look at the overall contribution that he's making, to me, it would be in the millions of dollars,” said Edwards School of Business' Dean Keith Willoughby. Connor Bedard has been taking the hockey world by storm, selling out multiple games on the Regina Pats Alberta road trip, but has the Western Hockey League (WHL) reckoned with his impact?
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