New pro hockey league coming to North America funded by Saudi Arabia

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Sam Walker
May 10, 2024 (12:18)

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A New Twist on Hockey Coming This Fall: Major League Hockey

Big news for hockey fans! Steve Dangle recently unveiled plans for a new professional hockey league set to start in North America this fall. Named Major League Hockey (MLH), this league is bringing a fresh spin by adopting the NHL's thrilling 3-on-3 overtime format as its standard gameplay.

What's unique? Each game will last just 24 minutes, split into two halves with a single intermission.

MLH is planning a broad reach with 16 teams spread across key regions in both Canada and the United States. Here's where the teams will be based:

British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Ontario in Canada.
New York, California, Minnesota, Arizona, Missouri, New England, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida in the U.S.

Each team will have a roster of 14 players, including 12 skaters and 2 goalies, ensuring fast-paced, high-energy matches. The league isn't just playing for the love of the sport; there's serious money involved.

Teams can spend up to $30 million under the salary cap, which averages out to about $2.1 million per player if the cap is maxed out. Additionally, each win brings a $100,000 bonus, shared among players and coaches.

The league will allow each team to sign up to three marquee players�those with professional experience from North America, Europe, or Russia, adding a mix of seasoned talent to the games.

Reaction to the new league has been optimistic. Prominent players' agent Allan Walsh mentioned that the venture is backed by significant financial resources. Adding intrigue, Jacob Stoller from The Hockey News reported that a substantial part of the funding comes from Saudi Arabia.

Bauer, a leading name in hockey equipment, is also said to be involved, hinting at the serious commitment behind this endeavor.

As the fall approaches, the excitement builds not just for the innovative gameplay but also for the potential this league has to reshape professional hockey's landscape.

Whether you're a die-hard hockey fan or a newcomer to the sport, Major League Hockey promises to offer something refreshingly different.