NHL is now officially NOT a major US sport

[HarryCaray]

Don't get me wrong, I love the NHL, especially around playoff time. But game 1 of the Stanley Cup FINALS is on a subscription channel called "Versus." What...the...F? Didn't hockey used to be one of the 4 major US sports? Put that shit on NBC or something, jeeeeeeeeeeez.

 

[Rev_Al]

they're playing in the Finals now? I didn't even know the Playoffs have started.

:ughhh:

 

[MattRain]

Hockey is not a U.S. sport.

Watch it on CBC.

 

[whalewager]

Hockey and soccer can go far away.

 

[HarryCaray]

Hockey and soccer can go far away.

Agree on soccer, but playoff hockey is awesome IMO.

 

[ronaldn]

Versus is NOT subscription on my cable.

 

[Addict101]

Agree on soccer, but playoff hockey is awesome IMO.

NHL playoffs>>>NBA playoffs

 

[royalfan]

NHL playoffs>>>NBA playoffs

:monsters-

 

[fucnluc]

Versus is NOT subscription on my cable.

What do you think cable is for one...subcription TV. Finals of any major sport should be on network TV.

I have over 100 cable channels and one of them is not Versus, that is even a bigger problem.

 

[TTinCO]

It's only the 1st two games on Versus-the rest are on NBC.

I'd assume that Versus demanded it considering they got the season contract.

 

[HarryCaray]

Versus is NOT subscription on my cable.

It is on my Dish Network package, and I have "America's top 120" channel package...I don't know what this versus channel has besides hockey, but apparently there are 120 channels that are considered more popular than it. :think2:

I mean, I have like 4 different versions of the Discovery channel. :WTF:

 

[Wrigley]

It's only the 1st two games on Versus-the rest are on NBC.

I'd assume that Versus demanded it considering they got the season contract.

The way the ratings have been on NBC im sure NBC would gladly give verses games 3-7 to.

Be funny if game 7 went into overtime I bet NBC would swicth to Jay Leno and the Tonight show at 11:30pm est and let verses finish the game 7 coverage.

 

[TTinCO]

It will be interesting to see the ratings on NBC, but with only 1 American team-and a LA team at that, I don't see them being very good.

 

[CalRedwood]

Tinco-other than the wings what american team pulls ratings? Anyway interest in the OC is up there-game 4 vs detroit last weak doubled the angels vs dodgers tv numbers.

 

[gtc08]

i think MLS will be bigger then the NHL if it already isn't. Right now IMO there's just 3 major sports. NHL is with Arena football and MLS. Those 3 will fight for the 4th spot. I think the 4th spot will eventually be MLS, several years down the road though.

 

[Wrigley]

i think MLS will be bigger then the NHL if it already isn't. Right now IMO there's just 3 major sports. NHL is with Arena football and MLS. Those 3 will fight for the 4th spot. I think the 4th spot will eventually be MLS, several years down the road though.

In fact more people did watch the MLS game on ESPN2 when they went head to head with the NHL on verses a couple Thursdays ago but remember ESPN 2 reaches more households then verses.

Bettman f-uped when he choose verses over ESPN.

 

[primetime21+]

I think alot of people miss the point. When someone says that hockey is no longer a major sport, they are not suggesting that playoff hockey is boring or dull. Its just that no one cares or at least not enough people care. I was at a BBQ today with a bunch of sports fanatics and not one of us brought up the Stanley Cup Finals. ANd i honestly am not even sure who is in the Finals.

 

[Dubpoet]

Versus is owned by comcast. A smart move by them.

 

[JohnnyMac]

You all put too much emphasis on TV ratings when deciding if a sport is "major." Remember, the NHL still has 30 teams that play 82 games to mostly full houses with pretty high ticket prices. I doubt Arena football or MLS attendence is anywhere near to the NHL's.

 

[FairWarning]

You all put too much emphasis on TV ratings when deciding if a sport is "major." Remember, the NHL still has 30 teams that play 82 games to mostly full houses with pretty high ticket prices. I doubt Arena football or MLS attendence is anywhere near to the NHL's.

But ESPN has TV deals with both and gets many free plugs on Sportscenter.