Bill Daly on the NHL’s Success and Future

ERIC MACRAMALLA: Let’s address the NHL’s post lockout success. Before the lockout, the NHL was enjoying record revenue, television ratings and attendance. There was tremendous forward momentum. For that reason, there was concern that the lockout could cause irreparable harm to the NHL and its brand. That, however, does not appear to have been the case. Can you help us understand why that is?

BILL DALY: Gee, I wish I knew. Certainly, we’re gratified by it and the fan response to the game. I certainly wouldn’t recommend work stoppages as a way to build interest in your business, but knock on wood, luckily the fans have responded to the players and the game. They came back and the level of play and the quality of play, the races, the competition, have all been good and we’re hoping to continue to grow.