Don't know if anyone you read this today, but there was a letter written to USA Today by a hockey fan responding to claims that their sport is in decline. (I read this in the print edition and have no enegry to search to see if it's on the web) I had to laugh at some of the claims the writer made: He first pointed out that NHL and NBA attendence were about equal. Games weren't promoted well by TV partners. Media bias against the sport of Hockey and that sports writers rountinly slammed the sport. TV ratings were only down 'a little' and every other sports ratings were also down (I guess he didn't check MLSs) There may have been some other points, but this was the jest of the letter. Some very funny points from the view of an MLS fan. If he thinks there is a media bias against hockey...
I think there has been an anti-hockey sentiment in the mainstream media in the past, but ESPN covers the sport as an equal of the three truly big leagues, and I think coverage is what it should be in most major-market newspapers. Suffice to say, the media is the very least of the NHL's problems right now...
Everyone should have the same tastes, opinions or beliefs as me. My tastes, opinions or beliefs are sublime. It is not possible that many people have different tastes, opinions or beliefs than I because tastes vary, some opinions are stupid, and some beliefs are irrational. It must be because we are neglected by The Media, which monolithically acts to impede the interests of my tastes, opinions or beliefs, because it hates me for some reason. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Just you typical whiny conspiracy-theorist hockey fan. It's because of fans like this that hockey isn't more popular. Every time some writer doesn't show it the proper respect one of these whiners comes along crying! It's no wonder more people don't like hockey!
If anything I think hockey probably gets more airtime and press then it deserves. It's ratings are always low despite numerous chances from many networks. Its nowhere near as popular as any of the big 3 yet it gets covered like it is. I think you could even make a case that there are more soccer than hockey fans in the US. The only difference being that all hockey fans follow the NHL while the soccer crowd is very fragmented( some follow MLS, others follow Europe, others Mexico, etc.)
I wouldn't agree with the ESPN statement. Since ESPN picked up the NBA, the NHL has become the ugly red-headed stepchild. The hockey folks at ESPN play it straight, but air time and promotion are way off.
What AndyMead said. They've been talking about this off and on all week on AM 950 The Fan in Denver (http://www.am950thefan.com). The sentiment of all the hockey-oriented people is that hockey's been getting a subtle shaft since the NBA moved to ESPN. Because of it, if I can spring for the cash next fall I'll get the Center Ice Package.
You know, if I didn't have so much to do on nights and weekends this winter, I would've bought Center Ice this year. My cable company gave me an 8-day preview, and it was great. Lots of games, and best of all, you'd get the Hockey Night in Canada telecasts, too. Maybe next winter I'll be a little less active in my community
What Andy said. Notice the lack of NHL 2Night broadcasts this season. Sure, ratings aren't great, but they aren't great for college hoops, either.
You're right. I only see NHL2Night now after there's a game on one of the ESPNs. Other showings are rare. Hockey's not alone though as far as declining revenues go. I can't imagine baseball will get the same $$$ contract next time around. I'm surprised the NBA got as much money as they did.
i dont see y cbs or nbc dosent pick up hockey if more networks covered sports more sports would get on tv including soccer. GO DEVILS!!!
But this comes only after ESPN had been treating hockey with the same respect they showed the big 3 for years. The fact they've stepped it down when they got access to the NBA product should tell us something.