Today In NHL History - Preakness Trumps Playoffs

On May 19th in 2007, NBC abandoned overtime in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals in favor of two hours of pre-race Preakness Stakes coverage, blacking out the Ottawa Senators 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, clinching their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1927.

The Heidi Game moment resulted in a ratings boost from 1.5 during the final half-hour of hockey to 3.8, 4.8 and 7.5 for the next three increments of pre-race coverage. An hour after Alfredsson's winner, Curlin won by a head at Pimlico running a 1:53.46.

That's today in NHL history.

Today In NHL History - First Hockey Telecast

On October 11th in 1952, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation presented the first ever publicly televised hockey game. The match, shown on the Saturday evening Hockey Night In Canada series, featured the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings from the Montreal Forum.
This inaugural HNIC telecast was carried on the CBC's French channel (SRC) with play-by-play offerings from announcer Rene Lecavalier. Montreal doubled Detroit that night 2-1. The first telecast from Toronto followed three weeks later.

That's today in NHL history.

NHL Needs Roast to Accompany Awards

Among the missing pieces in the NHL's off-season schedule is a rousing roast to air out the frustrations of the year. If the Commander-in-Chief is willing to open up for an evening of friendly fire surely the Commissioner along with his staff and constituents can do the same.

Originating in 1920 the WHCA's annual dinner has evolved into an opportunity for writers and the regime to trade targeted truisms cloaked in comedy, climaxing in 2006 when Stephen Colbert addressed the President in Comedy Central character exposing the absurdity of his administration.



If not for fun and fraternity, the NHL should participate in such an affair for the desperately needed TV ratings and charity-related revenue. The obscure cable carrier of choice would likely be inundated with eyeballs exceeding that of their on-ice productions.

For the self-proposed inaugural event, to be held on the eve of next year's NHL Awards in Las Vegas, I nominate Ron MacLean to MC and Denis Leary, armed with his Friars Club and Comedy Central experience, to represent the writers. I'll leave the league to fend for themselves.

After all, what pairs better with Sin City than comedy ... other than gambling, boozing, and whoring or course.

NHL's Evolving Position On Phoenix

1/23/09: “There are some issues out there. They are not, I repeat not, on life support." Gary Bettman

2/4/09: "The reports of the franchise's demise are just ridiculous. All of this blanket characterization of 'hockey doesn't work in the Sun Belt' is just hogwash." Gary Bettman

3/26/09: "We're looking for an infusion of capital and thinking about nothing else. We're talking to a number of people, but there's no sense of urgency." Gary Bettman

5/5/09: "We have just become aware of today's Bankruptcy Court filing purportedly made on behalf of the Phoenix Coyotes." Bill Daly

5/6/09: "We fix the problems. We don’t run out on cities.” Gary Bettman

5/7/09: "We don't usually like to pick fights, but we end them." Bill Daly

5/9/09: "People deserve a team in that building and a team in Glendale. I think it's a good market." Bill Daly

5/15/09: "I believe that all of our franchises can be successful where they are currently." Gary Bettman

Bettman recently lengthened the league record at WSJ's Future of Sports.

Roger Millions' Windy City Cocksucker

Yesterday Sportnet's Roger Millions 'C' bombed the sidewalk outside the United Center before Game 1 of the playoffs after he muffed the pronunciation of Flames' defenceman Cory Sarich.

Welcome to the playoffs folks. Gone are the regular season's darns and craps. It's time to raise your game and Millions has answered the bell early. Let's hope he didn't blow his load on the first report.

The Truth About NHL TV Ratings

“I think all of this blanket categorization that ‘hockey doesn’t work in the Sun Belt’ is complete hogwash. We have a lot of great fans throughout the Sun Belt.” Gary Bettman, February 4, 2009

Really? Do they own television sets?

Recently, the Washington Post and New York Times calculated the number of households in US markets, save Carolina and Nashville for which data was unavailable, watching their local NHL team on TV during the first half of the season. The chart below builds on their work, showing the total number of households as well as the number of households per capita watching each game in their respective market.

Team: Per Capita=Total
BUF: 1/11 = 55,980
PIT: 1/16 = 71,006
DET: 1/27 = 71,297
PHI: 1/45 = 65,494
MIN: 1/45 = 38,417
BOS: 1/46 = 52,036
COL: 1/60 = 25,149
CLB: 1/70 = 13,239
STL: 1/76 = 16,497
SJS: 1/80 = 30,955
WAS: 1/83 = 27,859
CHI: 1/93 = 37,373
NYR: 1/97 = 76,568
DAL: 1/192 = 12,947
PHO: 1/200 = 9,279
TBL: 1/209 = 8,928
NJD: 1/263 = 28,248
LAK: 1/263 = 21,486
ANA: 1/344 = 16,397
ATL: 1/435 = 5,450
NYI: 1/588 = 12,637
FLA: 1/667 = 2,320

The per capita data shows that 1 in 11 households in Buffalo caught each Sabres game while a mere 1 in 667 Miami-Fort Lauderdale households tuned into the Panthers. (Both amazing statistics in their own right.) In fact, 7 of the weakest 9 teams in terms of household viewership per capita are located in the Sun Belt (Dallas 1/192, Phoenix 1/200, Tampa Bay 1/209, Los Angeles 1/263, Anaheim 1/344, Atlanta 1/435, Florida 1/667).

If total households is your game, how about this fun fact. More people living in Buffalo (51st largest US TV market) watched their home team each night (55,980) than did fans of the Ducks (16,397) in Los Angeles (2nd largest US TV market), the Stars (12,947) in Dallas (5th largest US TV market), the Thrashers (5,450) in Atlanta (8th largest US TV market), the Coyotes (9,279) in Phoenix (12th largest US TV market), the Lightning (8,928) in Tampa Bay (13th largest US TV market), and the Panthers (2,320) in Miami-Fort Lauderdale (16th largest US TV market) watch theirs, combined. Yeah, combined.

In terms of on-ice success (as measured by Stanley Cup Finals appearances), Buffalo has been to the finals only twice (1975, 1999) in their 39 year franchise history, losing both times. Collectively, the aforementioned Sun Belt franchises have enjoyed 6 cup appearances (Dallas 2, Anaheim 2, Florida 1, Tampa Bay 1) in the past 13 years, winning three times (Dallas 1999, Tampa Bay 2004, Anaheim 2007). If anything, fans south of the 35th parallel should have more to cheer about than their Buffalonian counterpart.

Anyway you slice it, the NHL's Sun Belt teams pull up the rear in terms of TV ratings. Does that mean "hockey doesn't work in the Sun Belt"? Technically hockey works anywhere you can freeze water and field five skaters and a goalie. Is there "a lot of great fans throughout the Sun Belt"? Well they may be great, but there sure ain't a lot of them.

And that's no hogwash.

Capitals On the Capital

In a prior post, it was proposed that the next Winter Classic be staged on the National Mall. With the Capitals approaching greatness, or at least recognition, this is Washington's window. We floated the idea by owner Ted Leonsis and received the following response:

From: WashingtonCaps@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:30 AM
To:
Subject: Re: (no subject)

No-- I wont be able to do that.. league is scare dthat wether here could be in the 70s/. Ted

Seriously? Have you been outside in DC in January? Historical temperatures range between 28 and 42 degrees. Do you realize the NHL is considering the Las Vegas Strip and Rose Bowl as potential sites for future games, with seasonal temperatures ranging from 36 to 57 and 42 to 68 degrees, respectively? Sounds like you're being BS'd by Bettman.

With attendance at the Booth up 29.8 percent (averaging 17,973 per game), tripled TV ratings, and the league's most exciting player on the roster, your time is now. More importantly, you need to act before Ovechkin gets lured away from NHL hockey.

If Obama can manage 1.8 million for his inauguration, surely the Caps can muster 50,000 for a New Year's Day skate. Make the call. Lock it up.

An Instant Classic In the Second City

Last week the NHL staged it’s second Winter Classic in as many years showcasing Original Six siblings and Central Division rivals Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings - the league's youngest team and owner of the highest home attendance this season facing off against the defending Stanley Cup Champs laying claim to the eldest roster and highest road attendance figures. A safe ratings play to be sure.


Shifting the location to Wrigley Field offered an intimate and historically rich alternative to Buffalo’s Ralph Wilson Stadium.

But beyond the awesome setting, several small touches distinguished the event: scheduling the game on the back-end of a home-and-home series ensured a playoff intensity rather than that of an exhibition affair, singing both anthems despite the absence of a Canadian team (though two-thirds of Chicago’s lineup were born north of the border), the exposed brick facade on the outside of the boards, the coaches old-time cowboy hats, the pair of fighter jets that buzzed the ballpark, transitioning the title sponsor from Super Dew to Bridgestone, the Costas factor, and the handshakes at the end of the game all classed-up the cause.

A 2.9 television rating in the United States for this year’s game has all but cemented the Winter Classic as an annual affair. With fans flocking to the event, owners are lining up to get a piece of the action. Suitors include the Flyers (Beaver Stadium), Rangers (Yankee Stadium), Bruins (Fenway), Wild (TCF Bank Stadium), and Avalanche (Investco Field)

While gate receipts are a nice boost to annual revenues, the NHL should select its next location with an eye towards developing a U.S. television audience and leveraging a lucrative and comprehensive television contract with a broadcast network.

The goal should be to secure a unique space where no professional sports team has played, a venue of first impression. Can you imagine watching the Rangers and Islanders playing on Central Park's Great Lawn or the Capitals and Penguins skating on the National Mall?








At the very least, let's hope these iconic options are explored before the league stages a Battle of Florida at Disney World.

Online Piracy Goes Live

Once a distribution issue reserved to reek havoc on the revenues of the music and film industries, the New York Times reveals that piracy has migrated to the playing field of the four major North American sports leagues targeting their live product.

With laughable cable options and overpriced almost-all-inclusive television packages, the NHL has taken matters into their own hands and plagiarized their way into the 21st century. For years, Commissioner Gary Bettman has matched his protégé David Stern's management strategies stride for stride, alienating diehard fans and burying much of its tradition in the process. Last year the NHL turned its attention to MLB and learned their website revealed a mighty live game transmission technology.

Realizing ESPN was likely never again going to air NHL hockey and unsatisfied with the reach of their sole content provider, an obscure bull riding cable channel inspired by Outdoor Life magazine, the league launched NHL GameCenter in April 2007. No longer would they have to worry about satellite and cable providers refusing to carry their channel. No longer would they fall victim to embarrassing Heidi Game moments, for example when NBC left the overtime period of the 2007 Eastern Conference Final in favor of hours of pre-race Preakness Stakes coverage. And no longer would Bettman have to utter make nonsensical statements about their weak ratings such as "we don't have to apologize to anybody for what we are."

You’re right Mr. Bettman, you don’t have to apologize. And neither does the comedy king of West Virginia for dishing out a Barney Fife beating on the 2007 NHL All Star game. Eighty-five percent more viewers watching a TV Land rerun of The Andy Griffiths Show than the NHL’s finest performing in an All Star Game on NBC? Ouch.

But that was the past. GameCenter is live and the future is bright. For the NHL, delivering action online promises a reliable and readily available source for fans to access games. And perhaps one day, a much needed revenue stream to supplement gate receipts.

It should be noted that differences exist between the business models of baseball and hockey, and these subtleties ought to be considered in the NHL's online offering. Most notably, the former has fans and lucrative television contracts. At $21 per month GameCenter may seem like a pretty good deal. Pretty good that is, if you didn't know that MLB offers twice the games for half the price and rolled out their first online season gratis. Under the circumstances, perhaps the appropriate price point for NHL GameCenter is free. The online feed should complement a fan's viewing options, not hold them hostage and gouge them for failing to offer viable alternatives. If free doesn't fit the bill, then why not borrow from another company that's had some experience selling online content, Apple. 99 cents a game.

If there's a lesson to be learned from the wreckage of the once lucrative recorded music industry, it's that consumers will follow the path of least resistance to fulfill their wants and needs. With websites offering pirated versions of live NHL games for free, a bite-sized price point is needed to socialize existing fans and welcome new ones to the NHL's GameCenter space. Just because you built it, doesn't mean they will come. Savvy?