The NHL and the owners of the NHL Players’ Association are looking to pay more to attract and retain top talent, according to a draft memo released Wednesday.
The memo from the league and the union also includes an outline of a three-year, $200 million expansion plan.
It will include a new TV contract, a $50 million-a-year broadcast rights deal for the 2018-19 season and the NHLPA and NHL Players Association negotiating a new television contract.
“The owners want to be proactive in attracting the best talent and best players and are willing to pay their staff more,” NHL Executive Vice President Brian Burke said in a statement.
In addition to the expansion fee, Burke said the league would begin using a “bounty system” to reward the highest-paid employees.
The draft memo did not specify how the new contracts would be paid.
As part of the expansion plan, the union is asking for an additional $3.3 billion in spending on new equipment, equipment for coaching and development, a new arena, and more.
Players are set to begin the season Oct. 27 in St. Louis.
