Since the NBA Store opened in September 1998, it has only blossomed. The store is a huge visitors attraction in New York City averaging over one million customers per calendar year. Now, the store may face some heated competition from The NHL Store Powered by Reebok is open to business.

While the NBA Store features 35,000 square feet of retail space covering two floors, Reeboks' NHL place caters to a more devoted and cozier atmosphere in the 6,700 square-foot unique centerpiece.

Some former Devils players were in attendance signing autographs including Ken Daneyko and Bruce Driver and even the Stanley Cup itself made an appearance. Many people were excited about the new shopping store, forming a huge line down Sixth Ave as Martin Brodeur was staring at them. Well, not Brodeur literally, but a billboard of him looking over the dozens of hockey shoppers. The store is located on the corner of 47th Street and Avenue of the Americas

The NHL and Reebok have a deal in place for this new store in addition to their deal over the summer regarding the new NHL jerseys.

According to 1010WINS, "The store, which is a joint venture between the NHL and Reebok, gives die-hard fans a place to find everything hockey, from jerseys and skates to t-shirts and hats.
The store had its grand opening, Friday, and lines apparently stretched down the block."

I have to say that this ploy by Gary Bettman is his first step in the right direction. Establishing a store in Manhattan, the capital of the world, is a brilliant move and I hope that it helps the NHL grow again to at least the fourth best sport in the USA. Bettman is also spreading the NHL to other countries in hopes of generating international coverage and global attention. While at first I was vehemently opposed to this logic, I am beginning to understand the NHL is a European, Russian, and Canadian dominated sport. Therefore, it is wise to globalize hockey like they NHL did this year with two games in England. Both were sell outs and popular games in the United Kingdom.

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