The head of sports network Versus brushed aside arguments Thursday that the National Hockey League would be better served by returning to ESPN. Criticism has come from NHL players and their union; they believe that ESPN’s wider reach and strong promotional engine would boost the game’s visibility and appeal. [...]
Paul Kelly, the head of the NHL Players’ Association, stoked some of the dissatisfaction with Versus late last year when he told a Twin Cities newspaper: “This sport has got to get back on ESPN. The marketing and sponsorship activities will flow from a good, solid national TV contract, which the sport has lacked now for a number of years.” [...]
Versus is in some 75 million homes, compared to ESPN’s wider reach–perhaps 97 million. If ESPN were to pick up NHL games again, it would offer the league opportunities to promote the hockey telecasts on its slew of sports properties, as well as “SportsCenter” and dedicated studio shows.
As a “never miss” viewer of PTI, and a frequent viewer of SportsCenter on ESPN, I can anecdotally say that I noticed the drop off in hockey coverage after ESPN stopped carrying the games. Conversely, it was easy to notice the increase in NASCAR coverage once ESPN began carrying those races. Nothing surprising or sinister about it, just seemingly smart business for ESPN.
what the article doesn’t mention is what role, if any, the union had in things falling apart with ESPN to begin with. Anecdotally (at least according to the NHL) everything is actually up — ticket sales, attendance, TV viewing on Versus and perhaps more importantly, TV viewing in the local markets.
The NHL also has a deal with NBC. And while it’s small right now, the way things are going for NBC, they should probably think about Wednesday night, Friday night and Saturday night national games instead of the smattering of games on Sunday daytime that will be aired.
NHL on NBC in prime time? I like that idea, Mr. Seidman!
It would be a great way to promote some of the excellent young players in the game. But will I get a Hockey Night in America pre-games show with 10 different commentators in one room duking it out for the one live microphone??? Or perhaps Bill Simmons’ idea of Hollywood Square-style pre-game with the now unemployed Barry Melrose in the center square.
I would give anything to see ESPN pick up the NHL again and dump the NBA. The NBA is approaching (if not surpassing) the MLB in its level of unwatchability.
I would like for the NHL to return to ESPN. One reason is they have several avenues they could use to televise games the way they broadcast college sports. I do agree with the player rep that exposure on ESPN with trailers and 5 second promotion spots would boost viewership. The main reason is to get Gary Thorne back behind the mike on a national game broadcast. And yeah, bring along Bill Clement.
ESPN low-balled the NHL when the contract was up Vs…via COMCAST, it’s owner, swooped in and not only outbid ESPN but over bid for the NHL. Like Robert said, everything is up. NHL in HD in my opinion has really helped the game. If you’re an NHL fan, you’ll look for Vs/NBC to watch it. The only downside that I see airing the NHL on Vs rather than ESPN is that the casual fan may not become a die hard fan…
ESPN didn’t low-ball them. The NHL was coming off a lockout and their national numbers the year previous weren’t very good.
Thay wanted to make the NHL a fixture on ESPN2, but Gary Bettman, in his infinite wisdom, somehow saw this as a slight to his league.
Wither Sidney Crosby goes, I shall follow
Gary Thorne calling hockey instead of effin’ baseball…..Priceless!
NHL on NBC primetime? Are you kidding me?
Hockey gets horrible ratings…
NBC gets horrible ratings on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays….NHL ratings weren’t actually horrible last year when itaired in broadcast primetime, but that only happened for the Stanley Cup so it’s not a fair comparison.