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Hah, leave it to The Onion for an article like this.
Heck, the NHL might be better off on the Food Network. It might pick up some new fans, since I’m sure way more people know of the Food Network and actually watch it, compared to Versus.
I like this part:
Though Bettman maintained that the Food Network was always the league’s first choice, sources close to the commissioner confirmed that the NHL also considered broadcasting games on E!, the Golf Channel, and Cartoon Network before eventually deciding to go with the network offering the best combination of financial incentives and airtime.
Which network do you think the NHL should have their contract with???
NHL should be put on comedy central, because the way bettman is running (or shoudl i say ruining) the league is a joke…
off with his head!!!!
Keep the NHL on Versus,but also add another cable partner in USA Network.(Why? Well,USA’s part of NBC Universal,and NBC airs the NHL after football season is over. Why not create a Hockey Night in America and air two games on Saturday? Plus,for all cable/broadcast outlets,move to flex scheduling after the mid-point;if the game you have,well,SUCKS…they should have the ability to switch to a game that has more bearing on the playoffs. It seemed to work for NBC during the NFL season…)
I NEVER want the NHL to head back to Bristol. Why? Well,unless ESPN wildly overbids for sports rights or gets part ownership of a league/creates its own sports,it’s dead to them.
This isn’t a bad idea. Keep Versus, but add another channel that has more exposure… especially on big nights like Saturday or Friday. I like the idea of Hockey Night in America on USA!!
Loving the hockey night in America. Already love hockey night in Canada. I relish the idea of more T.V. coverage for hockey, but the food channel? Is it just me are does that sound kinda like a JOKE? Well whatever more hockey on T.V. is alright with me.
HAHAHA how funny. But at the same time kind of frightening. It wouldn’t be the worst thing he has done.
Interesting article. I think the NHL should definately stay with Versus. Versus is a growing sports network, and will steadily gain respect. They are airing several college football games too, adding prestige. However, here’s where Versus really shoots itself in the foot; when they don’t have NHL, NCAAF, Bull Riding or Racing, they have hunting shows, cooking shows, and as I type here, they are airing a show about the history of hunting. Now, nothing against hunting, but it simply isn’t a sport that should be televised. If Versus wants respect from fans, it needs to drop much of it’s hunting programming, and air MORE NHL games, MORE football games, and expand! If that happens, then more cable providers will have Versus.
Oh and as for a USA Network Hockey Night in America, I love the idea, I think that it would be so much better than the ESPN network. USA is a great network that would establish NHL’s presence here in America.
Getting involved with ESPN2 for only the weekends would be a major mistake on the NHL’s part. ESPN gets the contract, and they step all over the sport after that. Check out IndyCar’s agreement with ESPN. The race was delayed for an hour for rain, and ESPN stood by, and waited for it to begin. Well, when they were told that the race would begin at 4, ESPN threw coverage over to ESPN Classic, and fans who didnt get that network were left watching bowling on ESPN2. Bottom line is, ESPN doesnt stick to it’s word. USA Network would be so perfect for the NHL, they don’t have many commitments, so there wouldnt be a quick drop in coverage if they went to OT.