NHL Prize Money: How Much Do Players Earn?

[G-One]

Did you know that the NHL awards prize money during the playoffs, with the Stanley Cup winners earning a share of a $20 million pool? While it’s not as high as the NFL or NBA, hockey players also make millions through contracts, endorsements, and performance bonuses. Players like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews earn over $12 million annually. Is the NHL’s prize money fair compared to other sports?

[Roman]

It’s fascinating how the NHL’s playoff prize pool, worth $20 million, pales in comparison to the NFL’s $42 million Super Bowl payout or the NBA’s estimated $22 million for its postseason. While top NHL players like Connor McDavid ($12.5 million) and Auston Matthews ($13 million) earn impressive contracts, many rely on endorsements and bonuses to match the earnings of NFL or NBA stars.

[Lukas]

I believe that NHL pay is done per game, so they would get 1/82th of 750k a game (just over $9k). Lots of players negotiate the flat payout of a signing bonus and get a lot of it at once before the season begins.

[Sixer]

It’s interesting how the NHL’s prize pool is relatively smaller compared to the NFL and NBA, especially given the popularity of hockey. The difference likely stems from varying levels of revenue generation and fan engagement. Still, with players like McDavid and Matthews thriving in endorsements, it shows that hockey’s stars can still build impressive legacies off the ice, even if the prize pool lags behind.