NHL closes affiliate marketing program with immediate effect
America’s national Hockey League has opted to shut down its affiliate marketing programme with immediate effect with the leagues online merchandise store, Shop.NHL.com, no longer issuing fees based on sales generated.
It means that any third party website or domain which carried advertiosing or links to the NHL shop will now no longer receive any commission, with the likelihood that those ads will themselves be taken down.
The decision follows a labour dispute within the sport with players fighting plans to reduce their guaranteed share of 57% of hockey related revenues and other changes to their contracts.
An email statement issued by Shop.NHL.com stated: “Due to the current NHL Lockout, the Shop.NHL.com Affiliate Program is suspending operations effective immediately.
“Please remove all ads including text links, banners, data feed links and coupon listings immediately.
“We apologise for this unusual situation and look forward to working with you when the lockout is resolved and we receive clearance from the NHL legal team to resume operations.”