I'm curious as to why the NHL has completely collapsed in terms of popularity in the United States.
The game was pretty popular in the 80s but took off in the 90s. Now, it's become irrelevant and a joke.
I enjoyed watching the NHL during the 90s and admit that I don't follow it as much now. I can't put my finger on it. Why? What happened?
Americans have stopped paying attention to tennis, track & field, and other sports.
Hockey players are very athletic. The game is intense, the conditioning is excellent. The players never get in trouble with the law. The league has made rule changes to increase scoring. Nothing seems to matter.
Do you have an explanation? What caused the declining popularity of the NHL in the United States? It's been going on several years, even before the lockout. Why?
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2007-06-05 09:24:01 · 8 answers · asked by ABC 3 in Sports ➔ Other - Sports
It's probably because there really isn't too much interest in hockey in the states. It's one of those cult sports. With the NHL not having the contract with ESPN anymore that hurt as well. There isn't too many people that know where to find the games when and if they're on (at least people that I know) Another reason is that as shallow as it seems, the league is made up of foreign players, Americans like to watch American dominate in whatever we're doing. There are so many other options on TV anymore also.
2007-06-05 09:39:20 · answer #1 · answered by pele1009 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several reasons for this. Some of the reasons of which are why I dont follow the NHL as much anymore. First off it all boils down to the managment in the NHL. Gary Bettman is probobly one of the sorriest excuses for a commisioner in all of proffesional sports. This guy does absolutly nothing to help the league and to see that the league is popular not only in cities with hockey clubs, but all across the U.S. The NHL sold tv rights to the at the time Outdoor Life Network. What a farce. Unless your cable/sat provider includes what is now called "Versus" then you miss out and cannott see the NHL unless you pay to watch it by purchasing NHL Center Ice. For some fans it is almost impossible to follow the sport this way. I also have a theory that the notion of having players from all across the world, and interviews that are filled with broken English doesnt exactly make people want to rush out and support these guys. Thats just the way people are.
2007-06-06 15:53:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
World Series all the WAY! I love the feeling of watching the World Series, it's so exciting and it's fun to watch. Second would be the Super Bowl and then NBA Finals. Great Question. Here's a star =]
2016-03-13 06:04:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor coverage, and no placement on major networks. Then the lockout came, and fair weather fans were disgusted with the demands for more money. Killed the sport in the states. Besides that, there really isn't anywhere in the states that hockey can be played regularly without major investment in time and money. If soccer or baseball costs $40 a season, but hockey costs $350 a season, you can guess which one parents are going to sign their kids up for.
2007-06-05 09:38:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the players and the owners lost the entire season last year. They polarized over money and no games were played. ESPN pulled out of their TV contract and got better ratings when they hastily put together a replacement program named ESPN Classics.
It doesn't help hockey that they play for the championship in June, a summer month, and compete against the NBA.
2007-06-05 09:35:03 · answer #5 · answered by bv1999 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know a lot of people stopped watching hockey after the big strike that cancelled the 2004-2005 season.
Plus alot of the newspapers aren't even covering the Finals - people may not even realize they are going on.
2007-06-05 09:38:08 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ Sarah K ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1st the NHL's management sucks. It's worse than the NBA, if that's even possible.
2nd the season doesn't count until the playoffs.
3rd nobody in the US plays hockey. Most of the players are European or Canadian.
2007-06-05 09:33:40 · answer #7 · answered by joe s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the managment is terrible.
The new rules dont even do enough to attract fans
The players cant score as easily as the past
Alot of teams are always terrible or always good. Games are very predictable. The underdog usually loses.
2007-06-05 09:34:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋