Dan Near takes over from Ron Robison, who has been the commissioner since September 2000.
- ADAM KIERSZENBLAT
- UPDATED:NOV 30, 2023 4:41 PM ESTORIGINAL:NOV 30, 2023
The WHL have their new commissioner as Dan Near was introduced to the media on Thursday. The former head of Adidas Hockey will take over from Ron Robison, who has been the commissioner since the 2000-01 season. Near will take over as commissioner on February 15 but will begin working with the league on January 1. Earlier this year, Near was included on The Hockey News’ 100 People of Power and Influence for 2023, ranking 52nd on the list.
Bruce Hamilton, chairman of the WHL Board of Governors, had this to say about Near: “We set out to find an individual with a great business mind, someone forward-thinking who has the ability to help grow the Western Hockey League brand and build upon the existing foundation. As we worked through the process, it became clear that Dan stood above the rest. We believe Dan’s experience with Adidas Hockey and the National Hockey League makes him the perfect fit to build a strategy which will generate more growth for the WHL while we continue to be the world’s finest development league for junior-age players.”
Before working with Adidas, Near worked in the NHL’s head office, specializing in marketing, retail development, and consumer product licensing from 2006 through 2016. During that time, Near led the NHL’s global retail strategy, which included the launch of the NHL Powered by Reebok Store in New York City in 2007, as well as oversight of retail programming at the NHL’s international events, the NHL Winter Classic, All-Star Game, Stadium Series, and Stanley Cup. The hope is his connection with brands and leagues from around the world will help bring more attention and sponsorships to the WHL.
As for his time with Adidas, under Near’s leadership, Adidas conceptualized and delivered meaningful brand initiatives through hockey, including brand identity and uniform designs for the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights – among the most meaningful brand introductions in North American sports history – as well as the widely popular NHL Reverse Retro jersey initiative in 2020 and 2022. Near’s time with Adidas also saw the introduction of the NHL’s first sustainable jersey – a collaboration with Parley for the Oceans at the 2019 NHL All-Star Game.
Overall, this is a great hire by the WHL. Near not only has experience in the hockey world but understands the importance of connecting to individual fan bases. He will have big shoes to fill as he replaces the longest-serving commissioner in WHL history and will hopefully be able to continue the strong legacy left behind by Robison.
BY
Adam Kierszenblat is the WHL site editor and reporter covering the Western Hockey League for The Hockey News.Adam has covered the WHL for various sites and has attended events such as the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, and the Memorial Cup. You can follow Adam on Twitter @Adamkblat for full coverage of the Western Hockey League.
