McDavid looks to follow in Crosby’s footsteps

This offseason’s NHL Awards may finally see the passing of the torch in terms of the NHL’s best player. While Alex Ovechkin made things interesting for awhile, it’s pretty safe to say that Sidney Crosby has emerged as the best player in the world for the better part of a decade. But with Connor McDavid receiving the most buzz for the Hart Trophy this summer, it may be time for the 29 year-old Crosby to make way for the 20-year old McDavid

In his latest article for Sportsnet, Dan Robson shows another way in which McDavid will look to emulate and perhaps surpass Crosby: marketability. The veteran Crosby is easily hockey’s most recognizable face and lends his name and credibility to industry giants like Tim Hortons, Gatorade and Adidas. McDavid, to his own credit, has built a similar brand in Crosby’s spitting image, that has enabled him to partner with CIBC and CCM Hockey.

While McDavid has a long way to go to match Crosby’s estimated $4.5 million annually in endorsement deals, he’s well on his way. The youngster’s deal with CCM Hockey is estimated to pay him a cool $1 million per season, and it’s likely that he’ll command even more in the future. Not bad work if you can find it… 

For an in depth analysis of just how Crosby became hockey’s biggest brand and how young superstars like McDavid are looking to emulate him, check out the full article at Sportsnet: