MLS and NHL

The fact that NHL may not be considered mainstream anymore (which I don't believe, because they still are making lots of money, high attendance, and network tv) is not MLS's fault. It's NHL's fault. They've been alienating their own fanbase for the past few years to focus on building their name in communities that are warm-weather climates that probably won't have as dedicated and rowdy fans as cold-weather climate cities that play hockey for recreation and get connected to the team. Since the excitement is dying as a result, they're shooting themselves in the foot.

Perfect example: in the past 15 years, they moved two teams out of Canada, and made two new expansion teams in Florida. Does that make any sense? Watch two NHL game; one played in Florida, and one played anywhere in Canada, and tell me who's fans are more involved in the action. Build crazy cold-weather fanbases that revolve around NHL and hockey. And notice that the last NHL game held in a football stadium sold out was in Edmonton. Next one will be in Buffalo. Why would they do that in Phoenix or Nashville?

If NHL fans want to get angry or jealous of MLS because that league is growing in interest, tv time, etc., that isn't MLS's responsibility IMO.

 

I don't see the same potential synergy that you do between NHL + MLS, but I agree it's silly to pit any of those leagues up against each other like they're Mortal Foes.

I actually think I could get into the NHL this winter, once the MLS season is over. I guess I feel some affinity for a game that is vaguely set up similarly to soccer (sorta) and that has a more self-selective audience (rather than ESPN-land).

 

i think thats a great idea. I can't tell you how many people I meet whose 2 favorite sports are soccer and hockey not to mention the fanbases for both a re somewhat similar. Both sports have a cult following and have had to for the most survive despite the objections of the mainstream media.

 

Even though I mostly agree with that, that isn't always the case. The team with the highest attendance was the Tampa Bay Lightning. I've also been to two regular season Carolina Hurricanes games and even then our fans get pretty rowdy and into the game.

But, for the most part, you are correct. The NHL has alienated their fanbase constantly. The people that care most about hockey are canadiens and people far north. It makes absolutely NO sense to move teams like the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix or to move the Minnesota NorthStars to Dallas.

 

I agree that the two sports draw from a similar fan base. I drive 3 hours to play hockey in KC and St. Louis during the winter, but drive the same three hours to catch wizards games in the summer. I have brought along friends from my hockey teams to watch wizards games, and all of them have become fans. Hell, one buddy got dish network just so he could have FSC and Center Ice. Part of it is that both sports draw from the same predominantly middle class fan base. This being said, I bet that KC in conjunction with the wizards could support a hockey team and St. Louis, in conjunction with the Blues, could support an MLS team.

 

It isn't about attendance though. There's a lot of warm-weather climates that sellout constantly. But it's about PASSION. Like when if a Canadian team is in the Stanley Cup Finals, their fans sing the national anthem loud enough to be heard all over youtube passion. Or when they have an "ice bowl" in a football stadium passion. Or when Detroit fans know when to throw octopi onto the ice passion.

 

This is exactly the type of sentiment that soured me on the NHL.

But I'm used to it coming from someone in Toronto or Ottawa. Shocked to see it coming from someone in Houston.

The constant barrage of "who deserves a team more" just wore me out, along with the never-ending criticism of southern or western markets in publications like the Hockey News.

Eventually I decided that if they wanted so badly to keep people like me away, I would grant them their wish. And I canceled my subscription, stopped signing up for Center Ice, and basically walked away from the sport.

I see many MLS fans taking this same approach ... criticizing the types of people who attend matches and constantly complaining about "atmosphere." It is a mistake.

 

That's just plainly not true, none of the Southern teams have regular sell-outs, while every Canadian team is close to sell out capacity for all home games. MLSE(Leafs) if they truly wanted to could fill a 60k arena for the next hundred years, but for some reason would rather have their true fans watch the game from bars and homes.

Ontario is the largest hockey market in the world per square kilometer, with roughly 3 million hockey fans within a 100 km radius from Toronto. I'd hazard a guess that at least 2 million if not more of those fans are proud members of the Leafs Nation.

 

Ever heard of team called the Carolina Hurricanes? They have sellouts on a regular basis (not every game, but on a regular basis). They are the only pro team in Raleigh, and get a BUNCH of attention there.

But, for the most part though I agree with you. I just wanted to add in a little plug there for the 'Canes.

In Canada, Minnesota, North Dakota, etc. it's hockey, hockey, hockey, hockey, hockey. Not so in most places in the South. (but there are exceptions such as in Carolina (although basketball is still the primary sport on tobbacco row))

I think Fargo or Bismarck should get a team. I think the North Dakotans could definitely support an NHL team. Look at the rapid fanbase that the Sioux have.

 

Same here. All great points.

 

The attendance for the bottom 10 teams is puke worthy. Quite a few of those teams have a good team and/or a good stadium, so I don't see why their figures are so bad. Check them out yourself:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2007

And yeah, not all non-traditional hockey markets are bad. Some of those cities have a very good niche popularity. There has been some speculation regarding the movement of a team to Oklahoma City, which apparently has a good history of supporting minor-league hockey.

 

Actually, the Montreal Canadiens had the highest attendance. Not tooting their horn or anything, cuz I bloody hate them (diehard Leafs fan), but yeah, just had to correct you there.

 

MLS and the NHL are kindred spirits in that they are both not traditional "American" sports that always are struggling for attention/solvency. (Both involve scoring goals into a net, of course).

MLS can learn a few lessons from the NHL's recent "downturn." Don't over expand. Cater to hard-core fans who will stick with you over the long-haul. Maintain good player/league relations and NEVER have a strike or lockout.

ALSO, even if the actual coverage stinks at times, keep the ESPN relationship healthy. Once, the NHL left ESPN, it was gone for most "casual" fans. Versus might have done a fine job with their coverage, but for many folks, if it aint on ESPN, it must not be major league.

 

My bad. Don't know why I thought Tampa led the league. They were 3rd though.