04/26/24
February 02, 2002
The passion for the game grows worldwide.: Given that there's a slim chance the NHL will return to the Olympics, is it time to change the format to one similar to Soccer? Will it foster a fairer playing field for teams like China and Belarus in the future? Unlike the hassles that have plagued Slovakia and Germany this year.
Off-topic, but TSN's logo looks like a ripo--err, homage to ESPN's.
posted by kirkaracha at 03:34 PM on February 02, 2002
That might be because Disney owns a percentage of TSN. (Scroll down)
posted by chules at 03:55 PM on February 02, 2002
Yes, that's their new logo. They have a partnership with ESPN, so it's all with permission... TSN is pretty much "ESPN Canada" now.
posted by mkn at 03:56 PM on February 02, 2002
Tangent: I think TSN's new image sucks. We'd been used to the bouncing yellow balls and the "Sportsdesk" theme for what, 15 years or something? It felt like home, dammit. Now they've got that insipid "dah dah dah...dah dah dah!" theme song and it just feels spit-polished to death. Bring back the Desk! Anyway, I think all that needs to be changed is the All-Star format. World vs North America? Yikes.
posted by Succa at 09:38 PM on February 02, 2002
For what it is worth, the idea of making the Olympics an 'under-23' type thing is a dumb one. The author paints this as an interesting and benevolent move on the part of soccer. It's not; it is a very transparent move to ensure that World Cup is the pre-eminent competition and can't be challenged in its supremacy. All a similar move would do for hockey is delegitimize the only thing even vaguely close to World Cup that hockey has, which is silly. And hockey needs more legitimacy and a higher profile right now, not less.
posted by tieguy at 10:49 PM on February 02, 2002
it is a very transparent move to ensure that World Cup is the pre-eminent competition and can't be challenged in its supremacy I have always understood that it was more because professional players and clubs wouldn't bother with the Olympics, particularly with their seasons being so packed anyway, in the top flight of Europe, that injuries are always a problem. The World cup is an aggravation to the top clubs for this reason, and causes enough resentment when players have to be released for training or matches, as it is. A second world-class competition would simply be untenable. Anyway, none of the fans would want to challenge the World cups supremacy. The olympics has always just been a distraction to soccer ... why change a winning formula?
posted by walrus at 04:35 AM on February 03, 2002
In related news, it appears that regular season NBA and (though I cringe to admit it) goddamned golf draw more TV viewers than the NHL All Star Game. Sheesh.
posted by adampsyche at 07:26 PM on February 03, 2002
Adampsyche, I watch the All Star Game every year, but only because I watch a lot of hockey. To be honest, I prefer the skills competition. Everyone knows that the All Star game, with its lack of checking, strongly favors the faster, more finesse-oriented, filthy hated Europeans. God, I hate those Europeans. Anyway, I'm pretty sure the Olympics will fare a lot better on TV.
posted by Samsonov14 at 10:06 AM on February 07, 2002
Damn good article from The Village Voice illustrating the point why the NHL is losing out on their Olympic gamble.
posted by chules at 11:32 PM on February 12, 2002
BTW, I can't seem to find a permanent link for the second link. It might change.