(Brenden Welper/Times Herald / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e2f2494c-3eab-44e9-903a-f295ef0b2556.jpeg] (Brenden Welper/Times Herald / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) As we saw by the WHL's acceptance of the Penticton Vees as an expansion team this week, major junior hockey is big business. Really big. The Vees paid a reported $15 million [https://theprovince.com/sports/whl-penticton-vees-chilliwack-team] to join the WHL [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/whl-awards-expansion-franchises-to-penticton-and-chilliwack]. Established teams go for much more money. But somehow, these people who spend all this money on the product treat the players as 'student athletes' and are not paid like employees for their work. Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/report-oilers-zach-hyman-is-buying-a-hockey-team] left winger Zach Hyman [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/edmonton-oilers-zach-hyman-reportedly-has-purchased-ohls-brantford-bulldogs], who at last check was making good coin, purchased the Brantford Bulldogs [https://thehockeynews.com/news/go-dogs-ohl-approves-transfer-of-brantford-bulldogs-to-zach-hyman-and-family] along with his very wealthy family. There's money in it. It's time to share that wealth. Today's video column has more. Major junior hockey players are treated as student athletes, but there's big business in these leagues, says Ken Campbell. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
