 Kings captain Dustin Brown holds the Stanley Cup with team owner Philip F. Anschutz (right) in Los Angeles on June 11, 2012. (Mike Blake/Reuters/Files) |
American NHL team owners are a political bunch.
And more likely to donate to the Republican Party than the Democrats.
A New York Times report says a large majority of American NHL team owners have donated to U.S. candidates and political parties over the last two years.
Using the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, the Times tracked down all contributions made in 2011 and 2012 and found that NHL owners donated $1,006,914 to the Republicans and $418,185 to the Democrats.
Topping the list are the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, whose co-owners Philip Anschutz and Ed Roski donated $223,200 to the Republican Party and various candidates. The leading Democratic contributor is Ted Leonsis of the Washington Capitals, who kicked in $55,800.
Of the 23 U.S.-based teams, only the New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes didn’t make any campaign contributions.
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The NHL is currently negotiating with its players over how to divide up hockey-related revenues and other issues that could delay the start of the season if a new collective bargaining agreement is not signed by Sept. 15.
The following dollar figures show net spending on either Republican or Democratic campaigns:
REPUBLICAN
Los Angeles Kings (Anschutz, Roski) $223,200
Nashville Predators (ownership group) $105,300
San Jose Sharks (ownership group) $86,550
Carolina Hurricanes (Karmanos) $66,100
St. Louis Blues (ownership group) $65,907
Columbus Blue Jackets (McConnell) $58,100
Detroit Red Wings (Ilitch) $55,600
New York Rangers (Dolan) $48,800
Tampa Bay Lightning (Vinik) $33,800
Philadelphia Flyers (Snider) $22,500
Minnesota Wild (Leipold) $18,000
Chicago Blackhawks (Wirtz) $10,007
Buffalo Sabres (Pegula) $2,500
DEMOCRATIC
Washington Capitals (Leonsis) $55,800
Boston Bruins (Jacobs) $52,785
Pittsburgh Penguins (Burkle) $48,300
Florida Panthers (Viner) $39,050
Anaheim Ducks (Samueli) $12,500
Colorado Avalanche (Kroenke) $5,000