The NHL and NHL Players’ Association have ratified their extension of the collective bargaining agreement, securing labor peace in the sport through 2030.

The league and union announced in a joint news release Tuesday that the deal had been approved. It took a vote of the Board of Governors and the full NHLPA membership.

“The partnership between the Players’ Association and the league is stronger than it ever has been, and working together under this agreement presents a fantastic opportunity to continue to grow the game,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “We are grateful to the Board of Governors for its support of this agreement that strengthens our game and ensures we are collectively delivering a great fan experience in the years to come.”

The sides came to a tentative agreement on the four-year extension late last month. Among other things, it includes an 84-game regular season with less exhibition play, shorter maximum contract lengths, a playoff salary cap, no mandatory dress code for players and the creation of a full-time traveling goaltender position to eliminate the practice of emergency backup goalies, or “EBUGs,” from entering games.

“While I’m largely happy for uninterrupted hockey for, at least, 5 more years, this likely means my swan song is coming up,” longtime Colorado Avalanche EBUG Ben Hause posted on social media.

That and the other changes do not go into effect until the 2026-27 season.

“This CBA shows what can be accomplished when the NHL and the union work together — an agreement that will allow for the continued worldwide growth of the game. That is a win for everyone,” NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh said. “We could not have achieved this outcome without the involvement and support of our players. Special thanks to our executive board and negotiating committee.”

Reaching an agreement so quickly after negotiations began in April is the latest example of the cooperation between the NHL and NHLPA that produced the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year and paved the way for the return of Olympic participation in 2026 and ’30.

That is much different from decades past, including the 2012-13 lockout, which caused that season to be reduced to 48 games. The entire ‘04-05 season was wiped out by a lockout, which centered on the implementation of a salary cap.

The cap that started at $39 million is now $95.5 million for next season, with bigger jumps ahead to reach $113.5 million in 2027-28. Record attendance and revenues are responsible for these increases and play a role in why owners and players wanted no part of another work stoppage because of the general agreement that business is booming.

COLLEGES

Grand Canyon University announced Tuesday its move to the Mountain West Conference will begin immediately.

The school in Phoenix was initially scheduled to transition from the Western Athletic Conference to its new league on July 1, 2026. The Mountain West offered an earlier transition, however, allowing the school to compete for conference championships this fall.

“The addition of Grand Canyon for the 2025-26 academic year is a significant win for the student-athletes at GCU and in the Mountain West,” conference commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement.

Grand Canyon will be one of 14 schools competing in the conference next season. The accelerated transition comes after five Mountain West schools announced they intend to depart the conference and join the Pac-12 in 2026. Those schools are Utah State, Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State.

“GCU is excited for this opportunity for our student-athletes, the Havocs and our fan base,” GCU athletic director Jamie Boggs said. “After winning 76 conference championships, this opportunity best positions GCU to be nationally competitive, and we are excited about the vision and future of the Mountain West.”

Obituary

Pettis Norman, a Dallas Cowboys tight end who was outspoken on issues of civil rights in the 1960s, has died. He was 86.

The Cowboys said on the team’s website Monday night that Norman died this week, calling him one of the most influential players in the club’s history.

Norman went to coach Tom Landry to ask that the team quit assigning players hotel rooms based on race. The Cowboys soon started assigning rooms based on names.

“I tried to do whatever I could do help change the kinds of things that society had operated under for such a long time,” Norman said.

After playing in Dallas’ 16-13 loss to the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl 5 in the 1970 season, Norman was traded to the San Diego Chargers for Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth. The Cowboys won their first Super Bowl title the next season.

SOCCER

Spanish police believe Liverpool player Diogo Jota was driving over the speed limit when he and his brother died in a car crash last week.

Spain’s Civil Guard said on Tuesday that while their investigation into the cause of the crash last Thursday continues, they believe Jota was driving too fast when the Lamborghini veered off course after a tire burst.

NBA

The Dallas Mavericks’ Anthony Davis underwent a procedure to repair a detached retina he sustained during this past season, according to a story on ESPN.com, which cited sources. According to the story, Davis is expected to be ready for training camp. He was traded to the Mavericks by the Lakers during this past season for another superstar — Luka Doncic.

Davis, 32, overall averaged 24.7 points and 11.6 rebounds in 51 regular-season games this past season. He averaged 20 points and 10.1 rebounds in nine games for the Mavericks.