The former World Hockey Association

The World Hockey Association (WHA) was founded in 1971 as a rival to the National Hockey League (NHL). You can find an online bet on any sport at the 1xBet platform, which also includes ice hockey. It began play in 1972, aiming to challenge the NHL's dominance by expanding professional hockey to new cities and offering players more lucrative contracts. The league initially featured 12 teams across North America, including iconic franchises like: the Winnipeg Jets; the Edmonton Oilers; the Quebec Nordiques; and the New England Whalers. Besides wagering on ice hockey, you can find any online bet on various other sports at 1xBet, which can give you tons of winning possibilities.

Finances that went out of control

One of the WHA's significant impacts was on player salaries. At the time, NHL players were underpaid compared to other sports, and the WHA took advantage of this by offering competitive contracts. For example, Bobby Hull, a star in the NHL, was lured to the WHA’s Winnipeg Jets with a then-staggering $2.75 million contract, including a $1 million signing bonus. This marked a turning point in professional hockey, forcing the NHL to rethink its player payment structure. A bet on 1xBet cricket can also be made at 1xBet alongside the NHL wagers. Despite its bold start, the WHA faced significant financial difficulties throughout its existence. By its second season in 1973-1974, the league had expanded to 14 teams but quickly saw franchises fold due to poor management and low attendance. At 1xBet you can make bets on cricket franchises as well as ice hockey ones too. For instance, the Chicago Cougars and Cleveland Crusaders both struggled financially and eventually ceased operations. Between 1972 and 1979, the league lost a total of 24 teams due to financial instability, with several cities seeing teams come and go in short spans.

A fierce competition

One of the WHA's enduring problems was competition for TV contracts. While the NHL had established media agreements, the WHA struggled to secure national television coverage, limiting the league’s exposure. Speaking about leagues, at https://1xbet.pk/line you can find wagers on many of them too. Attendance figures also varied drastically. For example, the Houston Aeros averaged around 9,000 fans per game, while other teams, like the Ottawa Nationals, drew as few as 3,000 spectators. By the end of the 1978-1979 season, the WHA had dwindled to just six remaining teams. Facing mounting financial losses, the league negotiated a merger with the NHL. In 1979, the final WHA squads joined the NHL, which can be wagered at 1xBet too. This marked the end of the WHA as an independent league.