Where has the NHL gone? As I flip through channel after channel on a lazy Sunday I am unable to find one hockey game or highlight unless I go to the NHL channel which I had to purchase on an extra sports package. I have grown up a Detroit Red Wings fan and have witnessed several great championship runs televised to the nation. This past year as the Red Wings faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins it seemed like the sports world didn’t even care. The 2008-2009 NHL season is currently being played, but not watched. Outside of die hard hockey fans, most of the population is unaware that the NHL season has even started.
The NFL and college football has the sports world from early September until late January. NBA and college basketball take over television sets nation-wide in february through June (March is solely College Basketball). After Basketball season is over MLB is underway and the cycle starts once again. Why does everyone forget about hockey? Many major television networks have dropped coverage of hockey games and other networks have never even considered adding NHL to their lineups. Have you ever seen a hockey game on ESPN? No, and it’s not because the NHL isn’t exciting to watch. The NHL simply hasn’t been doing it’s job. Attendance will only increase if the NHL starts promoting their sport, and take over television ratings. The NHL has to win old fans back and create new fans.
Remember the good old days when, on a Sunday, you could see the glowing puck on Fox Sports, then turn to NBC to watch the Red Wings play the Avalanche in a blood bath? There seem to be no more rivalries, unsupported teams, a decrease in televisoin broadcats, and a lack of North American talent (minus Sidney Crosby). The NHL needs to address issues and attempt to regain popularity in the United States before it is too late.
10 of the 30 NHL teams average under 16,000 fans a game. Think of the NFL, NBA, and MLB and name 5 teams that are not supported by their surrounding areas. Sure you can find a few, but for the most part professional teams sellout whether they are good or bad due to local support. Now let’s look at the NHL. The New York Islanders are not exactly a hot ticket in the Big Apple.
People would rather see the Lion King on Broadway than go to an ice cold stadium to watch a team get blown out. The Islanders average around 13,500 fans a game which is a league low. The Islanders are not alone as the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, and Columbus Blue Jackets are among NHL teams with pitiful support. If the NHL is to rise again, fans are needed for every team.
The NHL has disappeared from normal TV broadcasts. Unless you have a sports package you can’t see an NHL game even if you wanted too. The NHL has to come up with a better way to get their product out to fans on TV. You barely even see highlights on SportsCenter anymore. NHL is not a bad television sport, and may have the most exiting playoffs of any professional sport in America. If only they could get the average sports fan to tune in to regular games. Is the NHL gone for good? I think it is. Stop hiding NHL, if you want to stay around you need to make a push and now.
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