Comments on: NHL Players Union Wants Off Versus, Back to ESPN

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:38:08 +0000

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.

By: BIG DADDY

BIG DADDY — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:30:44 +0000

NHL on NBC primetime? Are you kidding me?

Hockey gets horrible ratings…

By: Paul1228

Paul1228 — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:06:16 +0000

Gary Thorne calling hockey instead of effin’ baseball…..Priceless!

By: clutz12001

clutz12001 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:52:33 +0000

Wither Sidney Crosby goes, I shall follow

By: CrashMacKenzie

CrashMacKenzie — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:01:40 +0000

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.

By: Johnny Shoe

Johnny Shoe — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:36:25 +0000

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…

By: Jeff G

Jeff G — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:03:16 +0000

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.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:42:41 +0000

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.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:50:47 +0000

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.

By: clutz12001

clutz12001 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:17:36 +0000

NHL on NBC in prime time? I like that idea, Mr. Seidman!

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:07:21 +0000

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.