Report: World Cup of Hockey jerseys expected to feature ads

A section on jerseys worn during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey may be set aside for advertisements in attempt to maximize revenue.

The NHL is believed to be targeting $100 million in generated funds from the tournament, meaning it's likely companies can purchase ad space on jerseys, according to Rick Westhead of TSN.

Westhead writes:

The NHL has informed sponsors that it will feature about eight categories of sponsorships for the World Cup, selling each for about $1.5 million. To have a corporate logo featured on a team jersey would probably cost about $2 million per team, sources tell TSN.

Buying the jersey rights to all eight teams would probably cost about $6 million.

Companies such as Honda, McDonald's and Pepsi who sell in global markets would probably make the most sense for such a partnership.

John Collins, the NHL's chief operating officer, tapped the brakes on the report, saying it's far from a fait accompli.

"Our agreement with the IIHF/national federations provides us with all commercial rights to the (World Cup) including jerseys so we have the ability to potentially include a sponsor but have yet to decide whether we will," Collins stated.

The NHL is believed to be considering putting ads on its 30 team jerseys, and the World Cup may prove to be a testing ground for such a venture.