Calgary Flames copy the Edmonton Oilers with new major jersey change

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Liam McCormick
September 20, 2024 (5:33 PM)

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This morning, the Calgary Flames copied the Edmonton Oilers with a disappointing trend thats been happening across the NHL: jersey sponsorships.

Last week the Edmonton Oilers announced Play Alberta as their new jersey sponsorship partner, along with an advertisement patch on the legendary Oilers jersey. Now the Calgary Flames have done the exact same, also with Play Alberta.

Play Alberta will be the provinces' only legal online gambling company, set to be legalized in 2025. Sports gambling is slowly making its way into every facet of the sport, and some fans have had enough of it. Let alone the fact that there's an advertisement on an otherwise perfect jersey, it has to be a gambling company too.

Many fans have spoken out against the placement of advertisements on jerseys, and also sports gambling becoming too prevalent in the sport. Their complaints are totally valid, but the reality is that the NHL won't stop this anytime soon.

Jersey advertisements are making their way across the league as teams look to make every last drop of money they can. If there's one silver lining, it's that the additional revenues may increase the salary cap in the coming years. Otherwise, fans will just have to deal with these ads on their favourite jerseys. Thanks Bettman!