The company spent decades turning hockey demand into an arena, a franchise and a downtown ecosystem. Its next test is harder: converting a tired shopping mall into a C$650 million mix of healthcare, housing and public life.
Columbus has proved it will show up - 94,751 fans did so at Ohio Stadium. The Blue Jackets' harder business is turning civic affection, a loud cannon and a deep local network into the durable habit of winning.
The NHL sells a scarce live spectacle, then makes it abundant across television, streaming, merchandise, data products and 32 local markets. Its century-old advantage is not merely hockey - it is the system that turns every puck drop into rights, reach and ritual.