Sports Media

Marty Walsh To Become NHLPA Executive Director

Christopher Bagdonas / NHL / February 7, 2023

Marty Walsh Set To Join NHLPA

Here’s a shocker. Marty Walsh, the Secretary of Labor in the Biden Administration, is moving to the NHLPA as their executive director. The 55-year-old has big shoes to fill. Donald Fehr, holding the post starting in 2010, negotiated two different collective bargaining agreements on the players’ behalf. The search started last year and they seem to have settled on the former mayor of Boston. The news should be made official in the days following President Biden’s State of The Union Address this evening.

Walsh, a Boston native and longtime Bruins fan, reportedly has a $3 million salary in his new position. Other candidates in the running included former defenseman Mathieu Schneider and notorious player agent Allan Walsh. However, ESPN reported that the players were in favor of someone with a different background who had not previously been involved in the hockey landscape. The current CBA expires after the 2025-2026 season, so Walsh has a few years to get settled in before any major work begins.

Only Way Is Up

While their ratings will never compete with the likes of the NBA and NFL, I for one think hockey is not doing too bad. We’re in the midst of an incredibly thrilling season (includes link to power rankings) with a pretty wide open playing field. The game is growing slowly but surely, especially with long-term TV deals in place with ESPN and TNT. Barring any surprises with Walsh, the hire seems to be a good one considering his knowledge and passion for the game.

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The NHLPA has a new Executive Director. I get it, this is not the most exciting news. Someone will also have to fill in Walsh’s post in Washington. But if Marty Walsh can keep a steady ship afloat, then maybe the game of hockey will become widespread sooner rather than later.