Blessing in disguise?

Question

Now that the NBA is dealing with this "fixed game" bullsh*t, will the NHL finally retrieve their much-deserved ESPN/ABC television rights?

Answer 1

Absolutely not. The NHL simply doesn't generate the ratings for ESPN or ABC to justify spending money to obtain its rights and airing their games. Even grade six spelling bee contests get higher national ratings in the USA. There simply has never been an interest in hockey in most of the USA. There are no grassroot connections to hockey, other than some northern cities such as Detroit and Minnesota.

In my opinion, the top 20 Nascar drivers could retire this very moment, and it would still outdraw the NHL. All of the NBA could be fixed, like the WWE, and they would still outdraw the NHL. All the MLB players could openly take steroids on live TV, and MLB would still outdraw the NHL. All the crimes and scandals of the many idiots in the NFL could be revealed to the public, and there would still be "gangstas" walking around in Micheal Vick jerseys, and yes, it would still outdraw the NHL.

In closing, I have no choice but to include the compulsory Gary Buttman abuse rant in my answer. If only he had been able to see beyond the short term franchise entrance fee when he expanded the NHL down to the sun belt to keep the NHL owners happy for a little while. It was just his cheap way to fill his owners' pockets with money after they complained about their losses. Now, with revenue sharing in place, those same owners, for the most part, are paying to keep the drowning franchises afloat. Wouldn't it be a novel idea to have a league with 20-24 strong franchises before you expand to 30? He needs to realize that NHL will simply never become a national past time in the US and the best he can hope for are franchises that generate a significant regional interest in their own city. It's time to stop trying to grow the game in non-traditional American markets and move struggling franchises into more capable cities, such as Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Seattle.









EDIT

Wow, thanks for the support, AwesomeBill. Glad we see eye to eye. Perhaps we can start a new question and bash Bettman again sometime?

Answer 2

No.

And it has nothing to do with a vendetta against the NHL. It has to do with the fact that ESPN found they could draw higher rating for things they didn't have to pay as much for (specifically the College World Series and Poker). Ratings and profit margins are the bottom line; if NBA rating continue to fall because of this betting scandal and poor playor conduct maybe other networks would begin to think that the NHL could draw better ratings and it could get back on ESPN or ABC. But until there's an indication that will happen ESPN doesn't really have a reason to want the NHL back.

Answer 3

Actually it is possible that some fans may be turned off but how many it will be hard to say. This NBA story is bigger than the college point shaving we've seen in the past for NCAA football and basketball. Couple this story with the Bonds steroid scandal (which is not over) and hockey starts to look pretty good. That is if Bettman can kiss and make up with Fox and ESPN. And if Bettman can avoid any other dumb moves like getting into a protracted fight with wannabe owner Balsillie.

Answer 4

Wow!

Formerlysuspendedguy nailed it!

All I can add is that an answerer prior to him doesn't realize that ESPN was offering significantly less money for a new TV contract to the NHL. The greedy, idiotic owners helped Bettman decide that Versus was a better deal. The greedy, idiotic owners cancelled the season because they wanted cost certainty. The greedy, idiotic owners support - some even suggest - the changes to the game in the vain hope of increasing profitability.

That was a great answer formerlysuspendedguy, but if my experience with NHL fans means anything, some will reject your insight for the easier flag to carry. That is, it's entirely Bettmans fault only because he is American. They can't see the forest for the trees. Bettman is doing what he was hired to do. And he doesn't do anything by himself.

Answer 5

This is such an opportunity for the NHL that I think Bettman will use it to bring the game down even further.

He will decide that they don't want to any longer compete with bull riding for airtime, so next year hockey games will be televised on the mtv2.

Answer 6

It's good to have the last laugh as an NHL fan, as we watch problems in both the NBA and NFL. But it isn't the thing that will fix US TV.

I think I will go taunt the football and basketball sections now.

Answer 7

unfortunately not...for some reason there is no market for big angry white guys wanting to kill other angry white guys (not to mention toothless). I wish more than anythign that hockey could get some more respect in this country but i dont see it happening. Football has always had the Pacman Jones and Mike Vick types, basketball has always had their problems with fightings and all, but the fact is that America watches them more than hockey. I dont see hockey becoming huge in America until people really get to see Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin types tear it up.....Maybe when Bettman is gone and all, but all we can hope for is "in due time"

Answer 8

Is was said last week that ESPN wants back in on the NHL. The ball (puck) in in Bettman's court (rink).

Answer 9

No. There is a vendetta against the NHL. It would help an awful lot if that cancer that is Bettman would be on the next train to firedville.

Answer 10

no. Bettman chose not to sign with ESPN not the other way around.