Blockbuster film Air Force One helped on NHL team win multiple Stanley Cups
The Colorado Avalanche was one of the most successful NHL franchises from the late 1990s into the early 2000s.
Legends Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Milan Hejduk, Adam Foote, Rob Blake, Patrick Roy, and many more made the team extremely successful. However, what many fans don't know, is that 25 years ago, Joe Sakic agreed to an offer sheet from another NHL team.
Sakic, who was 28 years old at that time, received a three-year, $21,000,000 offer sheet from the New York Rangers, to which he ultimately agreed. At the time, the Rangers were looking to use their superior financial situation by using $15 million in signing bonus money.
While many didn't expect the Avalanche to be able to match, as hockey writer Mike Commito has reported, there was surprisingly one massive reason they were able to match the deal.
As per Commito on Twitter:
''A key reason Colorado was able to match the offer was because of the blockbuster success of the film Air Force One. It was produced and co-financed by Beacon Communications, part of the Avs parent company, Ascent. So, Avs fans should thank Harrison Ford today for making it happen.''
Air Force One went on to make $315,268,353 in worldwide box office revenue, allowing the Avalanche to match the offer sheet. Thanks to Harrison Ford and Air Force One, Colorado was able to capture three more Stanley Cups with Joe Sakic as their captain.
Not to mention retaining Sakic allowed the club to eventually promote him into the General Manager role once he'd retired.
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