Edmonton Oilers to Showcase Sports Betting and Online Gambling Company Ad on Home Jerseys

The NHL continues to embrace jersey advertisements, with the Edmonton Oilers being the latest team to join the trend. While other teams like the Washington Capitals and LA Kings have already incorporated ads on their jerseys, this marks the first time the Oilers will feature an advertisement on their team jerseys. The Oilers have already adorned their blue helmets with an ad.

The partnership with Play Alberta, according to the Oilers, designates them as the exclusive sports betting and online gaming partner of the team. As part of the agreement, the Play Alberta logo will prominently appear on the Oilers’ home jerseys, while the helmets will display GameSense, the AGLC’s responsible gambling program, during each home game.

In a trend where teams are increasingly open to displaying ads on uniforms, they are even celebrating these new partnerships with hype videos. Some critics argue against all jersey ads, while others differentiate between ads based on factors like size, shape, colors, and the nature of the advertiser. With major sports leagues like MLB, NHL, and NBA allowing uniform ads, some ads are met with more scrutiny than others. The Oilers’ choice of advertiser has sparked debates and opposition.

Play Alberta, the gambling website endorsed by the province, has faced criticism for its association with the Oilers. Gambling ads have become more prevalent on NHL players’ helmets since the 2020-2021 season when the league sought additional revenue streams due to the pandemic. The trend of selling ad space to gambling websites has grown since then.

While some may view all uniform ads negatively, the acceptance of ads from controversial companies raises concerns. Despite initial backlash over the Play Alberta ad on their helmets, the Oilers have expanded their advertising reach to include their jerseys. This move has reignited discussions about the ethics of advertising partnerships within sports.

The increasing presence of ads on NHL jerseys suggests that more teams without ads currently may soon announce similar deals. As the league evolves its approach to advertising on uniforms, the debate over the impact of commercial partnerships on the integrity of sports continues.