Hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the cancellation of the 2020 playoffs and spring camps, both vital revenue-generators, and uncertainty about ticket revenue and sponsorships for next season, the B.C. Hockey League has asked the provincial government for financial assistance to offset its losses.
鈥淲e have every intention of playing hockey next season, with all 18 of our teams, if we get the green light from Hockey Canada as well as the provincial health authorities,鈥� BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said. 鈥淏ut, the reality is we鈥檝e identified potential financial issues down the road due to this pandemic and want to address these problems now.
鈥淭he league has already lent its support to our teams through a contingency fund, but it鈥檚 clear that more is needed.鈥�
According to Hebb, the league sent a letter to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare on Saturday, April 18, explaining what the league is and the effects the pandemic has had. They are hoping for a response by the end of this week.
鈥淲e had couple of former politicians that we knew guide us through this,鈥� Hebb noted on Wednesday afternoon. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not the business we鈥檙e in; we鈥檙e not lobbyists.鈥�
The BCHL cut the 2020 playoffs short after the first round, when Hockey Canada shut down all sanctioned events indefinitely.
Hebb has expressed concerns recently that the league could lose teams as a result of the pandemic. He acknowledged on Wednesday that some of the clubs may be in dire financial straits, although none have said they won鈥檛 be back for a 2020-21 season.
鈥淲e have had no teams indicate they won鈥檛 be playing,鈥� he said. 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 a difficult prospect for teams to be without revenue.鈥�
The BCHL is a gate-driven league, with the bulk of funds coming from ticket sales.
鈥淏oth of those are about having people in the seats,鈥� Hebb commented. 鈥淎t the end of the day, sponsors want people in seats, and ticket sales is our bread and butter.鈥�
Even major junior hockey, Hebb pointed out, does get some money from broadcasting deals, but the BCHL doesn鈥檛 have that luxury.
Among sports leagues in the province, the BCHL unique in a number of respects, Hebb said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e nearly 59 years old,鈥� he pointed out. 鈥淣ot many leagues have been around that long and have meant so much to so many.鈥�
The league announced last October that it was expanding into the East Kootenays with the Cranbrook Bucks franchise, and Hebb said he is no more concerned about that club than he is about the other 17. Sponsors are 鈥渟itting on the sidelines鈥� throughout the league as they wait to see what is going to happen next.
鈥淲e know we鈥檙e going to take a hit on sponsorship revenue. It鈥檚 the same in Cranbrook as in every one of our markets.鈥�
The BCHL has several plans in place for if and when they get the go-ahead for a 2020-21 season, including their original schedule of 54 games, as well as backup plans for 50 and 46 games. The owners, he said, want the season to proceed, as do the players.
鈥淜ids are relying on us as a place to play, and we want to provide it,鈥� Hebb said, pointing out that the league had a record 172 players commit to U.S. Div. 1 or Div. 3 programs or Canadian university teams, a number that has increased each of the last six years. That represents about $3 million in scholarships.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not only a boon to the community,鈥� Hebb said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a boon to the kids.鈥�
There are 10 junior A leagues in Canada, but the BCHL produces about 60 per cent of scholarship players, the commissioner said.
鈥淲e have something special in B.C. It鈥檚 not run-of-the-mill junior A. It鈥檚 something that helps kids develop and go to school.
鈥淲e hope fans realize we are going to turn over every stone to make sure teams are viable. Remember, these teams are really important to their communities.鈥�
In pursuing funding from the provincial government, the BCHL has gathered letters of support from the mayors of their markets in B.C., as well as the District of Kitimat where the league held its first-ever BCHL Road Show in February.
