NO HOPE FOR HOCKEY IN THE GOOD OL U.S. of A.?! - Part II

O.K. Then, let's take a closer look at the validity of this article by Ian O'Connor on Foxsports.com. The one about America's distaste for the NHL.

We're told in my business to explain How? And Why? So...

The 80 Olympic Team:
Maybe the reason their improbable victory didn't launch NHL hockey into "a higher, lasting place in the public's consciousness" is because the three most marketable figures didn't exactly run with the ball.
Coach Herb Brooks didn't make his Hall of Fame mark behind an NHL bench.
Goalie Jim Craig literally and figuratively Flamed Out.
And the guy that scored The Goal, Mike Eruzione, didn't bother to play a second in the National Hockey League. (He's made being America's Guest a career)

And obviously it wouln't have hurt for the boys who came after them to maybe win another.

The Season:
I have suggested in past blogs, etc that the NHL season starts too early, lasts too long, and ends too late.

Ian is bang on. Having your opening splash go up against Week 4 in the NFL (with TO to Philly), and the MLB playoffs goes against marketing wisdom. And having Game On called midweek rather than near or on a weekend is a great way to ensure fringe coverage and only hardcore viewership.

Maybe hockey should consider starting on Nov. 14 instead of Oct. 4
Baseball will be over. Football will be in the doldrum chunk of the schedule, and the NBA will be 2 weeks into their schedule. They'd have the stage.

Parity:
The salary cap will ensure that every team in the NHL can truly compete for the Stanley Cup. This sounds great, but is it?

It will be when LA, ANA, DAL, DET, NYR or PHI are the teams playing each other in the Final.

Marketable Players:
I have to agree and disagree with Ian's take on this.
Yes it would help if the NHL's MVP was from a blue or red state instead of a fish farmer from Nova Scotia or a language barriered Russian.

Just look at the other sports.
NFL: American college athletes.
MLB: most MVPs and Cy Young winners are US born.
Nascar: Americans.
PGA: Tiger.

But the NBA is embracing tough pronunciation Euros, and it seems to only help grow their game. What about that?

And besides, ever heard of GLOBALIZATION?

TV:
Let's call it what it is; The Greatest Challenge Facing Our Sport.

The pucks too small and it gets lost. The cameras "whip" too much. The speed doesn't translate. It's too confusing. There are two intermissions (or, go watch something else and never come back, breaks) and the game is watched through barriers of glass, netting, wires, and boards.

Yes, its better in High Definition.

Yes, new access to players and coaches helps.

But it needs more drastic and creative thinking than camera technology and microphones.

Two things. (Razorfix)

1. Make people love, hate and care about the players. And don't homogenize it!)

2. Allow viewers to follow the puck. (It's important, and I know how)

In closing, we all long for an NHL that captures the immagination of the vast American viewing public,
An NHL that promps fewer articles like Ian O'Connor's.

But until that day arrives we'll take our lumps, defend our sport, and pray that someone with vision gets a strong voice in the league's corporate office...and of course, a little luck.