Comments on: Wednesday’s Worst: Ocho Cinco Edition

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:58:14 +0000

Honestly…why would you even want ESPN to cover the NHL? Do you really want to subject yourself to such blabbering?

By: Chris Shafer

Chris Shafer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:52:57 +0000

Technically the NHL is bigger than the NBA. The NBA gets most of it’s funds through TV deals while the NHL gets most of its funds through gate sales (tickets, attendance, all that jazz) while having no major TV deal since ESPN dropped, Versus sucks, and NBC uses NHL coverage in the same regards of how much salt you should put on everything you eat.

Even with all of these issues the NHL is hanging right up there with the NBA. Rumors of hockey’s popularity in the US greatly underestimate its fanbase.

ESPN hates hockey because Bettman pulled out of a contract with them settling instead for Versus (what a bonehead move). Because of this hockey was all but banished from ESPN. The worldwide leader in sports is nothing more than a spiteful chick who got dumped on the prom. The prom being the emergence of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Alexander Ovechkin as much as they annoy us. They’re all talented players that sell the sport. Then ESPN is forced to cover hockey even though it’s in the smallest sense possible because it is so popular. It’s funny that every time they have to talk about the NHL that broke up with them they have to grimace and mutter under their breath.

If ESPN would just admit that it is being a stupid bitter whore about the whole issue, and if Bettman would come to his senses and realize he could make far more money with ESPN’s help rather than shunning them the two would make a lovely couple. Until that time comes I’ll have to continue along with ESPN on my lifetime ban list. I haven’t watched it in over 3 years and I doubt I’ll be watching it any time soon.

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:53:37 +0000

I think it’s also a pretty big story when a team goes undefeated for an entire season like the Uconn Women’s bball team. I agree that ESPN does focus more on the NBA/NFL/MLB. But this is because this sports get way higher ratings than hockey. I think it’s a pretty big statement on how popular a sport is when the NHL all star game isn’t shown on basic cable and instead shown on the VS network. I think it’s pretty clear the NHL hasn’t regained the popularity since the strike occurred.

By: hitnrun

hitnrun — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:31:07 +0000

ESPN’s focus grouping has showed that the young, hip demographic doesn’t care about hockey, but rather ecunemical and inclusive sports topics like women’s sports, tennis, and world soccer. The only time they mention hockey on *any* of their shows is to talk about how they don’t care about hockey.

They’ll ride this received wisdom right into the fucking ground. I never watch any of their networks any more except for shows that have a specific, non-stupid sport in their title.