Could it be? A Toronto Maple Leafs player adorning the cover of EA Sports NHL ’18 video game?
Coming off an incredible rookie season, Auston Matthews who at 19 yrs old, scored 40 goals and added 29 assists for the Maple Leafs during the 2016-17 campaign, is absolutely prime for this accolade.
How great would this look in every home that has a gaming console ?
There are several factors as to why MLSE would want this. Most of them come from potential merchandise sales and exposure just from the fact their logo is used on the cover of this game. “Mom/Dad can I have this jersey for Christmas so I can be just like Auston Matthews….he plays up in Canada” *cha-ching*
Why would EA Sports want this? Is there a bigger hockey market on the planet than that of the Maple Leafs when things are going well? Hell no. This current resurgence by the Toronto team, could provide massive sales/revenue when it comes to new buyers of this video game based on Auston Matthews alone. With sales sagging a bit with the ’15 version, and now rebounding, how impressive would it be if by some small miracle they sold an extra 100k in games for the ’18 version? *cha-ching*
Finally the NHL. Gary Bettman et al must be absolutely salivating at this idea. A soon to be 20 year old AMERICAN hockey player from Arizona, who plays in the biggest market in hockey, is now gracing the cover of a massive video game. Can you scream brand exposure? Coming off the heels of a very successful Stanley Cup Playoffs Round #1 for the Maple Leafs, combined with a Final in Nashville between the Predators and Penguins, this cover shot will have Bettman’s head spinning like the doll in the Exorcist. *double cha-ching*
What say you Leafs fans? Does it even matter to you? Would you purchase a game yourself, or for your kids?
Times are changing in Leafs land. We have finally become a highly marketable franchise again, and this would be one hell of big deal in the video game world.
