New Edmonton Oilers Sponsorship Sparks Debate Among Fans

Edmonton Oilers fans are expressing their outrage over the recent announcement that the team will feature a gambling company logo on the front of their jerseys. 

The logo for Play Alberta, the Alberta government’s online gambling site, will be prominently displayed, while the GameSense logo, part of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) responsible gambling initiative, will be featured on the players’ helmets for each home game. 

Gambling sponsorships in sports are nothing new, with sportsbooks and casino sites plastered on jerseys across the globe in a variety of sports. 

Advert Crucial for Supporting Team Finances 

In a press release, the Oilers explained that the partnership with Play Alberta will support the team financially. They claimed that all revenue generated through the site contributes to the province’s General Revenue Fund, which supports essential programs and services for Albertans. 

PlayAlberta.ca reportedly generated $235 million in net sales last year, marking an increase of over $42 million from the previous year. That revenue forms part of the $1.5 billion in total gaming revenue directed to various community initiatives across Alberta. 

Poll Generates Plenty of Reaction 

In a recent Twitter poll conducted by David Staples, founder of the Cult of Hockey, fans were asked their opinions on the gambling advertisements set to feature on Oilers jerseys. The results revealed that 57% of respondents opposed the idea, while only 12.7% were in favour, and 30.3% expressed indifference at the time of writing. 

Reactions to the announcement varied widely among fans. Some voiced deep concern about the implications of advertising gambling on team jerseys, but others recognised the need to bring the lucrative sponoships associated with gambling sites. 

Alin Carigan wrote, “If fans want the salary cap to continue to increase then get used to gambling websites. The NHL generates a lot of revenue through these sites.”

One user, @TedLetourneau, has different thoughts, highlighting the impact on young fans, stating, “To an 8-year-old kid, Connor McDavid is a hero, and now his hero promotes gambling. Not a good look.” 

Another fan remarked, “Promoting gambling is not right. Too much push for gambling.” 

Fans Consider the Practical Realities for Gambling Adverts 

Conversely, some fans expressed practical concerns, with @Mac151617 saying, “If it reduces ticket prices, then great. If not, then it’s disappointing.” Others, like @bergang, noted that while they oppose advertisements on jerseys in general, their objections were not specifically about Play Alberta since the logo had already appeared on helmets in the past. 

Amid the mixed reactions, one fan got straight to the point, commenting, “Does it effect whether they win or lose games? Then I don’t care.”

Adam Power added to this. “It’s out of our control, so why worry about it? Money talks. I care how the team does, not what’s on their jersey in the end. But some people just like to complain, which also can’t be controlled.”

The introduction of gambling ads on NHL jerseys is a controversial move that reflects the league’s growing acceptance of corporate partnerships with gambling entities, leaving many fans to wonder about the implications for the sport and its image.