What Hockey Really Needs...A Challenge
10 Comments Published by Sherry on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 9:08 PM.
In three words or less, what hockey really needs right now is a...good TV contract. (This probably goes without saying, right?)
Rationale: While I'm not bold enough to suggest that hockey is all of a sudden 'in' again, I'd like to think that thanks in part to the strength of the Ice Bowl this year, that it's managed to gain some more interest.
It's making headlines, whether negatively or positively so it's not that people don't know what it is or what's happening in the game. However, with its current TV contract, people won't be able to find it even if they tried. Now, it's no secret that ESPN has been courting the NHL about the possibility of it returning to the network. Even if the NHL is getting its butt kicked by midget softball or Tri-State spelling bee competitions, that doesn't necessarily mean a courtship between the network and the league is impossible. I contend that I still think the NHL has lost somewhat of its leverage with ESPN, but its propensity to air those kind of shows is probably an indication that it would like some more significant content for its airwaves.
We know the sport doesn't translate well to TV and there really is nothing like watching a game live. However, I fell in love with NHL from watching it on TV (something I finally got to do only a couple of years ago) and I'm certainly not the only one.
Barring that, I think the NHL really missed a golden marketing opportunity with replacing Dany Heatley in the All-Star game. If you haven't heard, Marc Savard was named as Heatley's replacement at this year's festivities. Nothing against Savard, or anything but I personally would have liked to see an open, American Idol-esque audition process. Now, I never watched 'American Idol', but that seems to be popular now so why not ride that gravy train as well? Have open auditions and the players vying for a spot perform some type of musical number since the All-Star Game doesn't actually have anything to do with hockey anyways.
The panel of judges can be made up of the coach of the team (in this case John Paddock), Gary Bettman, and because he's contractually obligated to appear in whatever event the league has planed, Sidney Crosby. Crosby, of course would play the sympathetic judge who's just too polite to say anything bad about the players. Paddock would be the surly, overly critical one and Bettman would be the wishy-washy one because nobody knows what he actually wants or what exactly he's doing.
They can keep the actual process of selecting the reserves the same, but who wouldn't love to see Zach Parise perform a number from "Hairspray"? Imagine the cross-promotional opportunities!
Spezza Update...
In actual news that won't make me look unhinged, Jason Spezza is making the trip to Washington with the team and will most likely play in their game tomorrow against the Capitals. We can all continue breathing now. In other promising news, Patrick Eaves will also be back to play against the Capitals.
For anybody that's interested, I'd like to hear your thoughts on a simple question; as of today, right now in three words or less (your rationale can be longer, if you want to include one), what does the game of hockey (specifically the NHL) really need? I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions! You can leave a comment or e-mail them over to me or if you have a blog, post it up and I'll link back to you
ETA: Here are some responses to the challenge
Anonymous: The Game of Hockey needs more Sidney Crosby. He is the only thing good about the NHL. 1 other thing is less Teams. The league is too watered down. Drop atleast 5 teams, 10 would be ideal.
Michael: The NHL needs No Gary Bettman.
Victor: Hockey needs less Sidney Crosby...and fewer teams. We can start by losing Buffalo. Heh.
Jay: "A shake up". To explain what that vague response means: They need a new commissioner. This new commissioner needs to move franchises away from cities that have poor attendance. Then once all the teams are located properly the league needs to have a realignment. There is no reason Detroit should be in the western conference. Start east and move westward. Every 5 teams means a new division has been made.
Roshan: What the NHL needs in my humble opinion is 'A New Commissioner'. Get rid of that ass!
Kirsten: Fewer teams, Commissioner Wayne Gretzky, An ESPN Contract.
Thanks to everybody for your responses and keep them coming!
Rationale: While I'm not bold enough to suggest that hockey is all of a sudden 'in' again, I'd like to think that thanks in part to the strength of the Ice Bowl this year, that it's managed to gain some more interest.
It's making headlines, whether negatively or positively so it's not that people don't know what it is or what's happening in the game. However, with its current TV contract, people won't be able to find it even if they tried. Now, it's no secret that ESPN has been courting the NHL about the possibility of it returning to the network. Even if the NHL is getting its butt kicked by midget softball or Tri-State spelling bee competitions, that doesn't necessarily mean a courtship between the network and the league is impossible. I contend that I still think the NHL has lost somewhat of its leverage with ESPN, but its propensity to air those kind of shows is probably an indication that it would like some more significant content for its airwaves.
We know the sport doesn't translate well to TV and there really is nothing like watching a game live. However, I fell in love with NHL from watching it on TV (something I finally got to do only a couple of years ago) and I'm certainly not the only one.
Barring that, I think the NHL really missed a golden marketing opportunity with replacing Dany Heatley in the All-Star game. If you haven't heard, Marc Savard was named as Heatley's replacement at this year's festivities. Nothing against Savard, or anything but I personally would have liked to see an open, American Idol-esque audition process. Now, I never watched 'American Idol', but that seems to be popular now so why not ride that gravy train as well? Have open auditions and the players vying for a spot perform some type of musical number since the All-Star Game doesn't actually have anything to do with hockey anyways. The panel of judges can be made up of the coach of the team (in this case John Paddock), Gary Bettman, and because he's contractually obligated to appear in whatever event the league has planed, Sidney Crosby. Crosby, of course would play the sympathetic judge who's just too polite to say anything bad about the players. Paddock would be the surly, overly critical one and Bettman would be the wishy-washy one because nobody knows what he actually wants or what exactly he's doing.
They can keep the actual process of selecting the reserves the same, but who wouldn't love to see Zach Parise perform a number from "Hairspray"? Imagine the cross-promotional opportunities!
Spezza Update...
In actual news that won't make me look unhinged, Jason Spezza is making the trip to Washington with the team and will most likely play in their game tomorrow against the Capitals. We can all continue breathing now. In other promising news, Patrick Eaves will also be back to play against the Capitals.
For anybody that's interested, I'd like to hear your thoughts on a simple question; as of today, right now in three words or less (your rationale can be longer, if you want to include one), what does the game of hockey (specifically the NHL) really need? I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions! You can leave a comment or e-mail them over to me or if you have a blog, post it up and I'll link back to you
ETA: Here are some responses to the challenge
Anonymous: The Game of Hockey needs more Sidney Crosby. He is the only thing good about the NHL. 1 other thing is less Teams. The league is too watered down. Drop atleast 5 teams, 10 would be ideal.
Michael: The NHL needs No Gary Bettman.
Victor: Hockey needs less Sidney Crosby...and fewer teams. We can start by losing Buffalo. Heh.
Jay: "A shake up". To explain what that vague response means: They need a new commissioner. This new commissioner needs to move franchises away from cities that have poor attendance. Then once all the teams are located properly the league needs to have a realignment. There is no reason Detroit should be in the western conference. Start east and move westward. Every 5 teams means a new division has been made.
Roshan: What the NHL needs in my humble opinion is 'A New Commissioner'. Get rid of that ass!
Kirsten: Fewer teams, Commissioner Wayne Gretzky, An ESPN Contract.
Thanks to everybody for your responses and keep them coming!
Labels: all-star game, injuries, jason spezza, patrick eaves, random, sherry is kind of lame, sherry needs a life, silliness
The Game of Hockey needs more Sidney Crosby. He is the only thing good about the NHL. 1 other thing is less Teams. The league is too watered down. Drop atleast 5 teams, 10 would be ideal.
The NHL needs No Gary Bettman.
Hockey needs less Sidney Crosby...and fewer teams. We can start by losing Buffalo. Heh.
I'm sure you'll be watching the game tonight; look for me in the stands (I'm the weirdo wearing the Kozlov jersey, not Ovie). OK, I admit I'm only posting here because the last time I commented the Sens lost, and I'm doing what I have to do to help my team.
Please note I have nothing against the Sens, but I just like the Caps more. I'm still grateful to the Sens for knocking the slugs out of the playoffs last year.
"A good TV contract" - Sounds like you hit the nail on the head. The All-Star game, which for any league is a showcase/advertisement, is being televised on Versus. Of all the games, this game should be televised on ESPN or, better yet, NBC. As many people as possible need to see this game, not because the game is great, but because it is a spectacle the features the NHL and their players. Although, I guess for this to happen we need to start with "No More Bettman".
3 words isn't much. Imma go with "A shake up". To explain what that vague response means: They need a new commissioner. This new commissioner needs to move franchises away from cities that have poor attendance. Then once all the teams are located properly the league needs to have a realignment. There is no reason Detroit should be in the western conference. Start east and move westward. Every 5 teams means a new division has been made.
I voted for you in the Canadian Blog Awards for best sports blog. Hope u win.
What the NHL needs in my humble opinion is 'A New Commissioner'. Get rid of that ass!
These are all great responses, guys! I suppose the consensus seems to be "No More Bettman".
Although, I will say this to TheHux, I think Gary Bettman's first couple of TV contracts he negotiated were good but then again, hockey had a lot more interest at that time so it wasn't very hard. I think after so many years at the helm, a new regime is needed and Bettman's not the guy to rebuild the league after the hit it took after the lockout.
Roshan, I was nominated for the Canadian Blog Awards? That's unreal. Thanks so much for the heads up and the vote! I'm against some stiff competition here though but thanks everybody so much for the support.
The NHL needs less teams.
With 30 teams in the league, the talent pool has been drained and we're forced to watch guys who should be playing their entire careers in the AHL, or worse.
Another obvious issue with the NHL is the less-than-enthusiastic hockey markets in the southern U.S. The vast majority of people in the Dirty don't give a shit about hockey. They can't relate, therefore they won't watch. It's pretty sad that the last 3 Cups have gone to non-hockey markets with fanbases that vary each year. Sure they're loyal...but only if their team wins the Cup.
doyzee.
ps- nice blog Sherry. Go Sens.
Fewer teams
Commisioner Wayne Gretzky (he could be a puppet or something, who cares. Everyone thinks he's God)
An ESPN contract
I'm just going to go and make my own post about this now I think.
BTT, thanks! I'll definitely add your thoughts to the entry. I think less teams is something I'm a little torn on. At least get teams out of places where they're not successful.
Kirsten, send me the link when you do!