No NHL on ESPN
It was reported this morning that ESPN has turned down that ESPN has turned down the NHLs final offer on a contract for the four letter network to air games this season.
The NHL national cable contract will got to Comcast which will air games on OLN in the United States for at least the next two seasons.
ESPN, siting abysmal ratings and the protracted work stoppage, declined to pay the reported $72M for the NHL Contract.
I've been of the opinion that not having the NHL on one of ESPNs 6 networks is disasterous for the NHL.
Lets be honest, we puck heads will seek out hockey wherever it is and find the games on whatever channel they air. But for the casual or non-hockey fans, ESPN is the destination for sports in this country. What is going to make new fans go to OLN to find hockey games?
In addition to airing the games, ESPN cross promotes the heck out of their products on their many talk shows, sports news shows, arguing heads shows and radio network.
How much attention do you think these outlets are going to give to the NHL now that they have no vested interest in promoting the sport? Will we even see highlights on Sportscenter? When Sidney Crosby makes his debut or scores his first goal will it make the rundown on PTI?
By signing a deal w/ Comcast that gives the league a short term monitary fix, instead of thinking about what is in the best interest of the league long term Gary Bettman once again shows the inability to market this sport in a way that will grow and inprove the product. And the players and owners, who are now in "partnership" to make money based on how well the league does financially should be concerned by this move.
This strikes of arrogance on Bettman's part. He may have won his battle with the players because he had leverage, but he had no leverage with ESPN and he should have recognized this and negotiated to get some presence on the network. Even if it was one game a week and the occasional NHL only highlight show.
So now we have to hope that the NHL, which a lot of sports fans already see as irrelevant, doesn't end up relegated to the status of slamball, the Tour de France, and pro-dodgeball on the sports landscape.
Now I have to go figure out what channel OLN is on Directv and add it to my favorites so it shows up on my guide.
More on the move to OLN from Darren Rovell at ESPN.com
The NHL national cable contract will got to Comcast which will air games on OLN in the United States for at least the next two seasons.
ESPN, siting abysmal ratings and the protracted work stoppage, declined to pay the reported $72M for the NHL Contract.
I've been of the opinion that not having the NHL on one of ESPNs 6 networks is disasterous for the NHL.
Lets be honest, we puck heads will seek out hockey wherever it is and find the games on whatever channel they air. But for the casual or non-hockey fans, ESPN is the destination for sports in this country. What is going to make new fans go to OLN to find hockey games?
In addition to airing the games, ESPN cross promotes the heck out of their products on their many talk shows, sports news shows, arguing heads shows and radio network.
How much attention do you think these outlets are going to give to the NHL now that they have no vested interest in promoting the sport? Will we even see highlights on Sportscenter? When Sidney Crosby makes his debut or scores his first goal will it make the rundown on PTI?
By signing a deal w/ Comcast that gives the league a short term monitary fix, instead of thinking about what is in the best interest of the league long term Gary Bettman once again shows the inability to market this sport in a way that will grow and inprove the product. And the players and owners, who are now in "partnership" to make money based on how well the league does financially should be concerned by this move.
This strikes of arrogance on Bettman's part. He may have won his battle with the players because he had leverage, but he had no leverage with ESPN and he should have recognized this and negotiated to get some presence on the network. Even if it was one game a week and the occasional NHL only highlight show.
So now we have to hope that the NHL, which a lot of sports fans already see as irrelevant, doesn't end up relegated to the status of slamball, the Tour de France, and pro-dodgeball on the sports landscape.
Now I have to go figure out what channel OLN is on Directv and add it to my favorites so it shows up on my guide.
More on the move to OLN from Darren Rovell at ESPN.com
posted by Steve at 11:40 AM
8 Comments:
I have to disagree somewhat.
The NHL's best years were when nobody watched (80's and early 90's). It was only after they got on ESPN that the NHL started caring about television that they added 10 teams, got free agency, cut down on fighting, etc.
I think that if the league remains a nitch-sport it will be much better off in the long run.
Better how and for whom?
Explain how remaining a *niche* sport could possibly make the NHL better off in the long run.
The real reason for a TV deal is to make money. Comcast gave the league the most money so they got the deal. It is actually a good deal for the league. There are plenty of other things for people to watch on TV if they don't like hockey, so just being on ESPN wasn't going to save the league. Making the product better is what will turn the league around, and the league has already made great efforts in this regard with the CBA and rules changes. I am perfectly fine with them getting all the money they can to help the league.
One reason for the TV deal is to make money. Other reasons are to expose your product to people, get them interested in it and then sell them tickets at the arena, t-shirts, jerseys and video game.
The certainly did well on the upfront money for the deal. But what happens when that money is spent?
You need to use the broadcasts to create other revenue streams.
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