November 24, 2015 - 3:37 PM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - John Collins, the executive at the forefront of major NHL initiatives over much of the past decade, is leaving the league to pursue another business opportunity.
Collins had worked at the NHL since 2006 and served as chief operating officer since 2008.
In that time, he spearheaded such ventures as the Winter Classic and Stadium Series and was a major figure in negotiating Canadian and U.S. television rights agreements.
"John leaves a lasting mark," commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement released by the league Tuesday evening. "His energy, creativity and skill at building strategic partnerships helped drive significant revenue growth for our league. We are grateful for his many contributions and wish him the best in his new endeavours."
Before joining the NHL, Collins spent more than a decade in the NFL.
League revenues have ballooned to $4 billion in recent years, a growth that is largely attributed to Collins.
Collins thanked Bettman for his friendship and leadership over the past nine years.
"He had a vision for extending the reach of the NHL and supported us completely as we set out to make the game as big as it deserves to be," Collins said. "The NHL's future is filled with promise and potential, and I will admire and cheer the league's successes to come on the global stage."
News from © The Canadian Press, 2015