Prof. Timothy Dewhirst

The recent concussion of NHL superstar Sidney Crosby was the focus of an op-ed article written by Prof. Timothy Dewhirst, Marketing and Consumer Studies, in the Globe and Mail May 4. Crosby, arguably the NHL’s most recognizable player, suffered a concussion from a crosscheck and missed his team’s May 3 playoff game. Dewhirst, who studies branding and sports marketing, wrote that the loss of Crosby for an extended period — or a forced retirement due to numerous concussions — could harm the league with sponsors and fans. The league chose not to suspend Matt Niskanen for the illegal hit, which Dewhirst wrote sends a message the NHL does not take player safety seriously.