The WHA initially attracted stars by offering higher salaries than the NHL, forcing NHL teams to match this salary escalation, bringing hockey players' salaries to parity with those of other American/Canadian professional athletes.
The WHA initially attracted stars such as Bobby Hull and Derek Sanderson by offering higher salaries than the NHL. To compete for free agents, NHL teams matched this salary escalation, bringing hockey players' salaries to parity with those of other American/Canadian professional athletes.