- 01:01 AM
- 12/25/24
Hmm, just throwing out a thought here... is it possible that the Bertuzzi incident may have actually *helped* the ratings?
posted by tj at 01:05 PM on April 20, 2004
Hockey had it's chance early on in the 50's with televised games in the US, but the ownership of the 6 team league thought it affect the ticket sales too much. (I would quote the passage in Net Worth, but I can't find my copy) Playing the game and being exposed to it at an early age are two different things. Knowing the history and culture of the sport is what creates fans. But then, I grew up in a house with shrines to the numbers 1,7,9,10 and 12 in the basement (with a 19 being added in the 80s). Ratings (not neccesarily ticket sales) in this area have always been decent, even when the team was horrible. The NBA, NFL, MLB, and now NASCAR all have done huge marketing pushes that have worked. The NHL on the other hand tries to let the game sell itself, which is suicide. There was a push there with Gretzky in LA (who guest starred on an episode of SNL). But when wayne retired the league did little to build on the recognition, other than pepper the south of the country with expansion and reloated canadian teams. I had a point here somewhere, I think I could have just said: "The NHL has always had a problem selling itself, and needs to get it's head out of it's rear"
posted by tj at 02:24 PM on March 19, 2004
This is horrible for the sport. Remember, this wasn't done by a thug this time, but one of the "Premier All Star (thugs)" of the game. He needs to have his ass handed to him by the league.
posted by tj at 01:00 PM on March 09, 2004
I would like to point out that Illitch may just be trying to rebuild the Tigers in the same way that he did the Red Wings (without the car giveaways, though). A little history lesson in Detroit sports for those who are not familiar with the story... In the 80s, Illitch bought the Wings (then referred to many around here as the Dead Things). Through moves and long term commotments, as well as some creative marketing brought the team to what it is today. Illitch went on the record saying that he would be willing to spend money to get the team in order, but he didn't want to waste it. If the Tigers do not show MAJOR improvement this year, Dombrowski (the GM) will be gone) side note-- The Pudge signing may not affect the number of season ticket holders as much as the fact you have to be a season ticket holder to get a decent chance a All Star game tix when it's at Comerica.
posted by tj at 02:24 PM on February 03, 2004
People have expected Federov to take off this year for a long time. Many of the fans here (in Detroit) just didn't warm back up to him after his hold season in 98. Federov wants to the one and only superstar of a team, something that wasn't going to happen with the Wings. The only thing that shocked me is that he wnt to Anaheim and not LA.
posted by tj at 12:58 PM on July 21, 2003
This is bad for the sport in general (in the US). The potential stoppage may alienate casual fans, and a slightly better than beer league lineup isn't going have a draw like the NHL. And as for lack of kids, the last 5 games I've gone to, people have had their rugrats there, jumping about. I can't think of how many times I've had parents of kids have to walk their kids right in front of me during the damn play.
posted by tj at 01:21 AM on July 17, 2003
Welcome to the Bizarro playoffs. Anaheim knocks off Detoit, Minnesota knocks off Colorado.
posted by tj at 10:36 AM on April 23, 2003
Danny Gare? He retired due to back problems. link
posted by tj at 11:49 AM on April 17, 2003
As a "smug" Wings fan. I had a bad feeling about this series from the get go. The Wings' started looking shaky back in the second to last game in the regular season when they struggled to tie Columbus. The loss to Chicago in overtime was a harbinger of this. I don't think the blame for the sweep should relly fall on CuJo, either... he put up the second best numbers in the first round of all teams. Giguere is on fire, and is going to be a tough nut for any team to crack. Honestly, the Wings were not playing playoff hockey. There was definitely something missing, and I'm not sure that you can point the finger at Lewis either. They lost as a team. Defensive miscues, and Dandenault generally playing with his head up his a**. ah well, I can finally say this: Go LEAFS!
posted by tj at 11:34 AM on April 17, 2003
fabulon7, I don't know. I think Grapes would be giving that guy at least one forearm shivver-- it'd be worth it, if they televised it.
posted by tj at 03:15 PM on October 01, 2002
alex_reno, I'm a little insulted by that. I've been watching coach for years. (and Grapes is everybody's Don Cherry.)
posted by tj at 07:15 AM on October 01, 2002
ttrendel-- now you know what it feels like to be a Lions fan.
posted by tj at 07:30 AM on September 30, 2002
"I blame Jesus for this loss, that guy has got to get his head more in th game" -Randy Moss (ok, not really but still...)
posted by tj at 07:28 AM on September 30, 2002
sorry, should have read: saw it firsthand
posted by tj at 01:26 PM on September 18, 2002
I was just trying to figure where I had seen this before...
posted by tj at 02:52 PM on September 04, 2002
From what I've read, CBS is getting roughly 1.5 million for it from Augusta, which pretty much covers the production costs. (source, written in crayon). So this is probably the best outcome for NWCO-- The Masters is still televised, no one really makes any money off of it, and people are aware of the issue.
posted by tj at 11:46 AM on September 04, 2002
rcade: two minutes in the box for incorrect assumption. The nuetral zone trap does not require talent. Lining four guys (any four guys) up along the blueline is not a stroke of genius. The reason that the Stars were successful with it is that they actually had some talented offense that could perform in spite of the system they played. It's boring hockey as well. (then again, I don't expect much hockey knowledge from Dallas)
posted by tj at 04:53 PM on June 10, 2002
Succa: I was wondering when the standard "those old guys can't hang" argument was going to be thrown out again. I heard it during the Vancouver series and the Colorado series. The oldest player in the league just scored the game winner in a triple overtime game. It's the finals: they're playing for the holy grail of hockey, and at that age you may not get another chance. You find that extra step in you if you really want it. Even though the Canes are a much stronger team than anyone anticipated, Irbe is the only thing keeping them in the series at this point in time. I said that he couldn't stand up to Detroit's firepower in an earlier thread, I was wrong.
posted by tj at 01:38 AM on June 09, 2002
god, the Wings played like hell tonight. I guess my point about the canes not being able to tie it up was a crock.
posted by tj at 10:57 PM on June 04, 2002
ok, why are we talking about how good the canes are in OT? you have to tie the game up first. And Irbe hasn't faced a team with this much firepower in the playoffs. Although it is nice to see Hartford in the finals.
posted by tj at 01:31 PM on June 04, 2002
corpse, you're dreaming. Carolina isn't a pushover, but they don't stand a chance against the Wings(although I seem to remember saying this about the Devils back in 95). The Wings aren't letting up now, the momentum from last night's game is going to huge. Irbe is really hot right now, but he's not that good, and now he's had some time off to cool down. Carolina had trouble putting away a severely injured Leafs team, what chance do they honestly have of dealing with a healthy Red Wings? As far as Detroit's payroll, players deferred parts of their salary to get Robataille and Hull. That's how bad they want it. Even still though, they had to get this far just to break even.
posted by tj at 07:02 PM on June 01, 2002
ome thing I notice that no one has mentioned is that Zednik had his head down. Dirty or not, the injury had as much to do with how Zednik came in, as the hit itself.
posted by tj at 04:41 PM on April 27, 2002
whoops, train of thought deriales --"Aside from Yzerman, the rest of the team is probably healthier than its been the last 3 years."
posted by tj at 12:19 PM on April 19, 2002
to those commenting on the wing's age: have you been watching them this season? Chelios is in his best shape since he came here. And aside from Yzerman. Vancouver scored some pretty wierd sharp angle goals on Hasek, and you can bet that he's fired up now. (God, I hope so-- he looked a little Osgoodian Wednesday night)
posted by tj at 12:18 PM on April 19, 2002
hey, I get ESPN mag, I know. All I'm saying is that this could be a risky move.
posted by tj at 05:38 PM on April 09, 2002
I couldn't believe it when I saw it. I just wonder how healthy he really is. Montreal needs one friggin win to clinch their playoff spot. It's not really the best time to be pulling a publicity stunt for Koivu or the Canadiens. I mean, he was always extremely injury prone before. I can't think that he's any more resilient now. and if god forbid, he gets injured in Tuesday's game it may kill their spirit.
posted by tj at 05:24 PM on April 08, 2002
I'll probably watch SlapShot 2: Electric Bugaloo... Hell, I've watched Mystery Alaska 5 times
posted by tj at 10:03 AM on April 05, 2002
tj thinks that gov's comment was right on.
posted by tj at 02:42 PM on April 03, 2002
Two things that haven't been mentioned yet: 1) Detroit has 3 young forwards fighting to keep their spot when Yzerman returns. (Avery, Datsuyk, Williams) 2) Last year late season injuries were a big factor in Detroit's loss in the first round.
posted by tj at 02:18 PM on April 03, 2002
To quote my father: "It was the size of Mario's freakin' wallet that threw his hip out" He should not have come back. Yes, he can produce, but cannot do so without reinjuring himself. And it's not like the GM really has much to say about it, does he?
posted by tj at 12:43 AM on March 01, 2002
I love how everybody dogpiles on Miller and points to him being a factor in MNF's ratings decline. Does anyone remember how absolutely horrible the games were last year?
posted by tj at 12:37 AM on March 01, 2002
Barry Melrose is the Mr. Obvious of Hockey. Although ESPN may be trying to guide recent converts (new fans from the olympic coverage) into the playoffs.
posted by tj at 04:07 PM on February 26, 2002
Let me expand on that so I don't seem like an idiot. The Bertuzzi-Moore hit put the spotlight on the sport near the end of one of the best seasons in a very long time. As much as I hate Bettman, the league's reaction was quick and the sentence was handed soon enough for the nonfan to remember seeing the clip on Sportscenter, and made it a lead story-- which pushed the NHL coverage, of quite some very close races to get into the playoffs, earlier in the show. And now people are getting hooked. Like I said, just a thought.