Final answer:
Social scientists criticize the NHL and hockey due to economic concerns about the negative impact on local economies and the role of sports in societal power structures and socio-economic mobility. These concerns reflect broader issues of economic allocation and the pursuit of profitability that can overshadow public affairs and create imbalances in local influence and opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social scientists have levied criticism towards the NHL and hockey for various reasons, some of which are economic in nature. Siegfried and Zimbalist presented an argument that household budgets for entertainment are limited, positing that money spent on attending professional sports events like hockey games is money not spent on other local entertainment options. This allocation of funds can lead to a lower economic multiplier effect for local economies, possibly causing them to shrink rather than grow. This perspective contributes to the criticism that hosting professional sports events, such as hockey matches, may not be as beneficial to local economies as originally thought.
Moreover, another layer of criticism comes from the aspect of social structure and power dynamics within communities. The role of accompanying media coverage and the pursuit of profits have been scrutinized by scholars who argue that there is an undue focus on bottom-line profitability rather than in-depth coverage of public affairs or a diversity of policy views. The concentration of influence and local policymaking among a small group, including businesspeople who stand to benefit from professional sports franchises, has also drawn attention from social scientists, suggesting possible imbalances in the way that sport can influence local politics and economics.
Additionally, the impact of professional sports on socio-economic opportunities has been highlighted. The origins and career paths of NFL and NBA players indicate over-representation from impoverished or working-class areas, suggesting that professional sports may be seen as a pathway to economic security in places with limited socio-economic mobility. Such findings underline the complex socio-economic factors surrounding sports, including hockey and the NHL, and why they attract critical examination from the social scientific community.