Key result
Career-ending concussions in 35 NHL players between 1995 and 2015 resulted in a total salary cost of US$135,476,777 to teams and insurers.
Observational (n=35)
Career-ending concussions in the NHL carry a massive financial burden, totaling over $135 million for 35 players between 1995 and 2015.
Highlights financial burden of NHL career-ending concussions; leaves open effects on league safety policies.
AIM: Several high-profile professional hockey players have retired due to career-ending concussions sustained in the National Hockey League (NHL). We sought to determine the salary cost of career-ending concussions in the NHL. METHODS: Concussion-induced retirements from 1995 to 2015 were identified using public media sources. The number of missed games due to a player's final concussion was multiplied by per game salary to determine cost. RESULTS: In total, 35 players were identified: the total cost to teams and insurers of career-ending concussions was US$135,476,777. Half of the total consisted of salaries owing three players with contracts still active in 2015. CONCLUSION: The financial impact of concussion-induced retirements provides another reason for professional leagues to take measures to better protect their players from concussion.
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Hiploylee et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Career-ending concussions (n=35). Career-ending concussions was evaluated on Salary cost of career-ending concussions. Career-ending concussions in 35 NHL players between 1995 and 2015 resulted in a total salary cost of US$135,476,777 to teams and insurers.
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