Why Marty Walsh left the Biden administration to run the NHL players’ union

Marty Walsh’s Transition from Biden Administration to NHL Players’ Union

Marty Walsh didn’t have any immediate plans to leave his position in the Biden administration. As the labor secretary, he held a comfortable position in the Cabinet. However, he received an intriguing offer that caught his attention—a chance to lead the NHL Players’ Association.

Having served as the mayor of Boston and a devoted Bruins fan, Walsh was captivated by the opportunity and accepted the role of executive director earlier this year. Three months into his new position, Walsh is focused on understanding the players and their primary concerns. He has been delving into various topics, including the Arizona Coyotes’ arena situation, the salary cap, and future international competitions.

In an extensive interview with The Big Big News during the Stanley Cup Final in Las Vegas, Walsh likened his job to being a mayor. Each day brings new issues that require immediate attention, and celebrations are short-lived because there’s always another pressing matter to address.

Currently, the most urgent matter revolves around the Coyotes, who are set to play their second season in a 5,000-seat rink on Arizona State’s campus after a failed referendum for a new arena in Tempe. Among the nearly 200 NHLPA members Walsh has spoken to, he has focused primarily on meeting with the players from Arizona.

When engaging with players, Walsh listens to their perspectives on what is beneficial or detrimental to the game. Some players, like Connor McDavid, prioritize the return of NHL players to the Olympics after a long absence and the inclusion of a World Cup of Hockey in the schedule. Others are more concerned with increasing the salary cap and reducing escrow payments.

After helping the U.S. avoid a nationwide rail strike several months ago, Walsh finds that his current role is reminiscent of his time as president of the Laborers’ Union Local 223 in Massachusetts. With players ranging in age from 18 to 38 and at different stages of their careers, he recognizes the diversity within the NHLPA membership and their varied concerns, much like any other workplace.

“One thing I’ve quickly learned is that this is genuinely a union because each player has different concerns,” Walsh emphasized. “It’s important for me to familiarize myself with the members so that I can represent them to the best of my ability, understanding the challenges they face.”

Since assuming his position in March, Walsh has had the opportunity to get acquainted with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. They attended an event together at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, and they have met on several occasions to discuss matters such as the salary cap and the Coyotes’ situation.

Bettman spoke favorably of their developing relationship, stating, “To me, the vital signs seem good. We’re getting better acquainted. I like him. I respect him. I think he’s smart. I think he’s going to be good for the players, and I look forward to working with him.”

Walsh described their working relationship as “very cordial” but acknowledged that there will inevitably be disagreements in the future that place them on opposite sides. The upcoming collective bargaining talks will likely bring about such conflicts.

Kevin Shattenkirk, a veteran defenseman who was part of the search committee, praised Walsh for his immediate engagement and assertiveness. After his first interview, Walsh provided players with his cellphone number, emphasizing his accessibility at any time.

“One of his selling points was that he would be readily available to players whenever we needed him,” Shattenkirk shared. “Given his experience with labor unions, he understands the importance of accessibility while simultaneously providing strong leadership and guidance to the organization.”

For now, Walsh’s focus is on preparing players for life after hockey and expanding the game beyond its current revenue of nearly $6 billion. As he shifted from politics to sports, he began watching football, basketball, and baseball differently, considering strategies employed by other leagues and how they might apply to the NHL.

Walsh is particularly interested in growing interest in hockey in Sweden and other European countries through games held there. He also contemplates the potential for hockey in Latin American nations and among underserved populations in North America. Cities like Dallas, Arizona, and even Boston have significant Latino populations, and Walsh wonders if the NHL is fully tapping into these communities.

The chance to address such challenges excites Walsh, who maintains a strong and close friendship with President Joe Biden. When Walsh departed from the administration in February, Biden referred to him as “one tough union chief” and a role model for future labor secretaries.

This opportunity represents the culmination of Walsh’s entire career, and he feels well-prepared for the task at hand.

“There aren’t many opportunities that could have come my way where I would have thought, ‘Oh, this is perfect,'” Walsh reflected. “This truly feels like my life coming full circle: labor movement, running a union, exploring opportunities to grow the game, and adopting progressive thinking to strengthen the union.”

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More about NHL Players’ Union

• Marty Walsh: Wikipedia
• NHL Players’ Association: Official Website
• Biden administration: Official Website
• Gary Bettman: NHL Commissioner Profile