NHL Return to ESPN a Possibility
by Dave Shapiro on Jul 27, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in Bantering Around
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PrintThe NHL’s TV contract with Versus and NBC expires after the 2010-2011 season, that is known. What is not known, however, is where the NHL will wind up after the contract expires. According to Sports Business Daily, ESPN is interested in bringing the NHL back to their networks, including ABC.
ESPN Exec VP/Content John Skipper indicated that "he’d like hockey to return to ESPN and ABC." However, Versus President Jamie Davis said that the net "aims to hold on to the asset."
It looks like that for the first time since the lockout, the NHL could be a desirable asset that could launch a bidding war between Versus/Comcast and ABC/ESPN (ABC and ESPN are both owned by Disney). The NHL has continued to grow in ratings, which were up over 25% during the last four weeks of the season on Versus (This of course came after Versus and DirecTV settled). On NBC, ratings are up over 10% from last year.
While it seems like a no-brainer to switch to ESPN/ABC, especially when offered the same rate, the NBC/Comcast deal could offer a whole new outlook on the deal. Comcast (owner of Versus) purchased NBC from General Electric for a whopping $13.75 billion. The NHL could be the biggest benefactor of this purchase. With Comcast/NBC owning the rights to the NHL, a Versus/NBC deal could be as potent as an ESPN/ABC deal, but more lucrative. It is quite possible that Comcast could choose to air more NHL games on NBC to help boost ratings for other Versus games. This co-advertising campaign could be very similar to the campaign seen with ABC/ESPN.
So what does all this mean? Well, NBC Universal, which includes NBC and USA (in addition to Versus as a part of this mega deal), could potentially air the NHL on three separate channels. This would be extremely beneficial to the NHL, as marketing hockey on three separate channels reaches a far greater number of viewers. More viewers of course means better ratings, which leads to more money coming to the NHL, which leads to larger revenues, which eventually leads to a larger salary cap ceiling, and larger player salaries. The only thing that Comcast/NBC cannot compete against with ABC/ESPN is Sportscenter. The only problem is that Sportscenter is a very large obstacle to overcome if you are Comcast/NBC.
In the end, the NHL needs increased viewership to have the chain reaction described above (ratings -> revenue -> salary cap -> salaries). This is a very big crossroads for the NHL, who will likely begin negotiations with both networks soon. The most important item for these negotiations, aside from money, has to be NHL air time. It appears that is something that Comcast is willing to increase. If ESPN wants to compete, they will need to match the offer in air time, both on ESPN, ABC, and on Sportscenter. There are pros and cons of both options, and the well being of the league as a major sport depends on both the decision, and how the winning network handles the NHL.
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I think the NHL should stay where it is!!
The NHL is continues to grow and grow and it is pretty much in its height of popularity right now. Stay on NBC/Versus and if they could air even more games on USA that would make it even better. The NFL os likely heading 4 a lockout and the NBA might also have one but it is more likely that it will happen in the NFL which means no other sport will be competing with the NHL if both go into a lockout. This would be the same season that they could start airing games on USA 2011/2012 which would bring even more exposure. Maybe they could possibly move WWE Raw up to the 8-10 slot on mondays and put a west coast game on at 10 ET right after which would give the stars of the Kings and Canucks and Sharks more exposure on the east coast. Also besides the fact that the NFL and NBa might be heading 4 lockouts, the MLB is having its worse season ever in terms of TV ratings and having a pretty bad year in Attendance and overall sales. TV Ratings are down on FOX, TBS and even ESPN and the all-star game had its lowest viewership count EVER. Yesterday NESN annonuced that Red Sox viewership is down a whopping 36% where only 6% of Boston is watching each Red Sox game on average and that is one of the biggest markets around. So with the MLB taking a drastic nose dive this year and the NFL and NBA both possibly heading 4 lockouts, I would just stay where we are on Versus/NBC and maybe even USA and continue to grow as a sport and continue to put the best product out of any sport.
One of the main reasons ESPN will probably beg to get the NHL back is because if both sports head for a lockout then they will only have college sports 2 air during the winter and the NHL will bring more viewers to there channels but like always Bettman will do what he did coming out of the lockout and just go with whoever offers the most money.
twitter.com/NYRangerFan718
New Coverage Teams
If it gets rid of Millbury and Pierre, I’m ALL for it. Plus, ESPN is THE place. Let’s face it. A move back to the major sports network would be great for the league.
I miss Prucha & Orr...
by MartyEqualsPansy on Jul 27, 2010 9:28 AM EDT reply actions
I always liked when the NHL was on ESPN
I actually know what channel VS is on so its not a real big deal. Gary Thorne announcing Orioles games is just not the same anymore.
Go New York Go!
being on ESPN would obviously provide a ton more visibility to the game, thus giving it more revenues (most likely), but I just cant bring myself to say that I want to see hockey on espn. after seeing the way they handled the lebron thing, and past experiences with sh*t like favre, espn now pretty much disgusts me. they are a monstrosity in the sporting world now and attempt to influence the sports and people they cover rather than the other way around.
Umm...
This has been mentioned before but I will reiterate it now.
Why can’t Versus and ESPN/ABC have coverage?
The NBA is on TBS and ESPN.
Last year I was aggravated during the playoffs that I couldn’t switch off to watch a Sabers game and were forced to watch Pitt. Coverage on both stations would alleviate this.
During the regular season, I can’t see it making much of a difference for Ranger fans but for hockey in general, it would be a win/win.
I say, keep it on Versus and bring it back to ESPN.
You want to talk about expanding viewership, Bettman.
TBS = CNN, no sports coverage. Thus, no direct competition between ABC/CNN.
When TV rights deals are signed, they generally include a clause that prevents the sport from being aired on another major network (CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX).
NBC and ABC will very rarely have the same sports featured. If you’re going to use golf as your example (CBS/ESPN), then remember the PGA sells the rights to events, not the sport.
by Dave Shapiro on Jul 27, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
But...
wouldn’t TBS=VS?
Versus is not a major network and is not on a lot of providers packages.
I’m not a lawyer or a program director. I just think it would be good for the sport of hockey and if the legal stuff could be worked out it wouldn’t be a bad idea.
by Mike_from_NNJ on Jul 27, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s TNT, not TBS that carries the NBA. Same parent company, different channel.
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jul 27, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Shows how much I watch the NBA
haha. Thanks Smurf.
by Mike_from_NNJ on Jul 27, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
When Comcast, who owns VS, finalizes the NBC deal, they are the same company.
by Dave Shapiro on Jul 27, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Damn
ok, ok.
I didn’t know that was happening.
Well that blows then. As much as people complain about the announcers on VS, at least they make Hockey a priority on that network. I fear that if ESPN obtained the rights, hockey would be regulated to ESPN3, behind World Series Poker and Bowling.
by Mike_from_NNJ on Jul 27, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
NBA is on TNT, not TBS
Technically they air hockey on both ESPN and VS, depending if they want the deal to be exclusive
Excellent
More coverage by ESPN like this!
UPDATE: It looks like the Rangers got a huge discount on Frolov. TSN reports it might be similar to the deal Maxim Afinogenov got last season with the Atlanta Thrashers — $800,000 for one year. If that’s the case, the Rangers may not have to create any cap space, depending on what kind’ve deal they can sign with Staal.
Also, this probably means Frolov is serious about staying in the NHL. He left a lot of money on the table from the KHL.
-
The New York Rangers will sign Alexander Frolov, Yahoo Sports’ Dmitry Chesnokov tweets. But the Sporting News’ Craig Custance tweets the deal isn’t done. Meanwhile, a Russian report says that it’s a one-year deal.
For our purposes, let’s assume Frolov is signing in New York. The Rangers need Frolov to take a massive pay cut to make this work. He made $4 million last season, but the Rangers only have about $4 million in cap space, with five more players to sign including RFA Marc Staal. And even then, the Rangers will need to create some cap space.
So are they going to buy out Wade Redden or bury him in the minors? The possibility was talked about last season, however it seems unlikely. Still, at this point, it’s hard to see how GM Glen Sather is going to fit all these pieces together.
Who are the other 4 people we have to sign?
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
This is what I was able to unearth regarding the remaining FA’s
UNRESTRICTED
D Anders Eriksson, C Kris Newbury,
RESTRICTED
RW Andres Ambuhl, C Paul Crowder, D Marc Staal, G Matt Zaba
This from SI.com and was not updated and I removed the payers the Rangers signed (Byers/Prust and players that left Potter)
Maybe the writer was referencing some of these players including Staal?
But none of them are making the roster, so none of them affect the cap number. With 14 forwards and 6 d-men already signed, I was curious where we’re putting 4 more mystery men anyway lol
Camp Tortorella - Where Vomit is a Mainstay
by George E. Ays on Jul 27, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
“kind’ve”? really? is there any common sense or editing involved in journalism anymore? Its kind of embarassing
Favre 4 Ever
I Believe In Chris Drury
they used that EXACT “phrase”, if you can call it that, on ESPN’s website the other day!! What the hell is wrong with people when they don’t even know how to write? do they not even understand " ‘ve" is simply a shorter way of adding the word “have”? I understand “kind of” and "kind’ve" make the same sound (altho the latter isn’t a word) but god damn break it down while you’re typing it…. does “kind have” make sense? no.
/rant off
Woooooo
Please god, let this happen. I cant stand the horrible Versus and NBC coverage. Their camera men can barely keep up with the puck, and the announcers are somewhat less than desirable. I like Emerick but the rest of them can go choke on something.
Back to espn
I would be in favor of having the NHL back on ESPN for various reasons.
One is the exposure it will get and with the NHL growing will expand the revenue>salaries> etc.
The games would be easiers to locate for some viewers in various locations. I ahd no VS until April
having the NHL tonight daily on ESPN with Matthew Barnaby (who I think is really good) Melrose/ add in Gary Thorne and Pang calling the games would be great again. All the NHL needs is the NY Rangers to make it to the stanley Cup via 94" and watch the sport really take off but we have sometime for that hopefully sooner than later.
while the additional revenues this would garner would certainly be good for the league, and the additional attention good for the sport, i just dont want to see hockey turn into the nba.
by BronxBeliever on Jul 27, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
In my opinion I do not think Hockey would ever turn into the NBA because hockey does not generate much popularity in the urban areas. It would interestign to see if ESPN has the rights to the NHL how they would market the NHL. Hockey is such a great sport and fast-paced. I have bought some friends to Rangers games whom never watched hockey before and all said how fast the game is as well as exciting.
I won't miss the Versus Pop-ups
Annoying as hell. Not to mention Doc Emeric.
by It may HAVE to Last a Lifetime on Jul 27, 2010 11:07 AM EDT reply actions
NBC/VS just doesn't have the promotional power of ABC/ESPN
NBC has been dead last in primetime ratings among CBS, ABC, & FOX for 5-6 years now. Their promo power has been nose diving. The ratings on VS outside of hockey and the Tour barely move the dial, so promoting the game outside of live telecasts wouldn’t be reaching nearly the same people on ABC/ESPN. For me it’s all about the promotional power. Who the hell knew any Nascar drivers outside of Earnhardt till ESPN came in and shoved it down our throats.
ESPN just has a lock on the sports audience, plus a very successful website and magazine. If the money is similar I’d go ESPN/ABC all the way.
WOOOOOO, ANYTHING TO GET GARY THORNE BACK CALLING GAMES IS A GOOD THING
----Warner----
-------13-------
by Scent of a Woman on Jul 27, 2010 11:45 AM EDT reply actions
Everyone
gives Bettman shit for the things he’s done but if people really look at this situation from a far, or take your hockey fan hat off for a minute you might realize what a great job he’s done for the OWNERS.
He turned down ESPN’s laughable proposal to change the game into a circus, so that ESPN could control the league at a cheap price.
He took the game to lesser known channels, XM radio and center ice and it has been wildly successful from the standpoint that now, the NHL will be listening to offers from several networks, and the league will make even more cash.
All NHL clubs, in every market will benefit from this.
Disagree
Bettman took over in 1993 and had the perfect opportunity to grow the league in 1994. The Rangers won the Cup and SI had hockey as the “coolest game on Earth” on their front cover.
He squandered it by expanding to Southern markets and throwing away the ESPN deal. Guess how much NBC pays the NHL to air games? That’s right, nothing. So how could anything ESPN offers be considered “laughable”
A Nation of Masochists
Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing - Vince Lombardi
I would have demands as the NHL: They must fire Barry Melrose and no more mis pronouncing names Like: Llye Ko- vail -check.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
Hilarious..
He knows the game but god……….. he cant prononce names for the life of him
In 94 I thought i could die in peace... Now I watch a ranger game and just want to die.
the NFL and NBA are under a major threat after this season of heading to a lockout, if they do, you could imagine the competition for the NHL’s TV rights… ESPN will be chomping at the bit to get the NHL back considering two of their major sports will be lost for a season… I know many see this as a 50/50 shot, but the NFL is a serious candidate for lockout considering the end of the CBA, also the NBA which is calling for a stricter cap situation, rather than the luxury tax system they currently have in place could cause issues. There very well could be two leagues heading to the Lockout leaving various TV stations left with no sports…
great point.
Basketball, the NHL’s only competition from Feb-June, seems even more likely to have a lockout so the NHL could get a TON of exposure in their first year back on ESPN if everything goes their way
by Ahmad Bradshaw on Jul 27, 2010 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I know tons of people after the Olympics, they loved it so if you give it a spot light it will shine. I mean the product sells itself.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
CAN NOT JUST GO BACK TO ESPN FOR THE MONEY
Gary Bettemen can not just go back to ESPN if they offer the most money. The NHL needs publicity. Hopefully the NBA does go to a lockout, that will only make ESPN want the NHL more. And if the NFL also strikes, ESPN would want the NHL that much more.
But Bettemen must play his hand right and make sure that if the NHL does go back to ESPN, then they need to have so many games on a week, commmercials advertising the games and the league, more then 2 minutes of coverage on SportsCenter, and a NHL Tonight show (similiar to Baseball Tonight).
The NHL needs as much coverage as it can get and if thats not going to be on ESPN, then its not worth it. But if they can get the coverage on ESPN and with 2 lockouts coming, the NHL can explode on ESPN.
I just want NHL highlights back on Sportscenter
The NHL currently takes up all of about 30 seconds in an hour long show. I’d like to see them take time away from the NBA, seeing as how it’s by far the worst pro sports league and the worst pro sport.
I dont even consider the MLS a pro sports league
I’m a huge soccer fan, but the MLS is trash. They should just disband it and give the coverage to the Premiership and Champions League.
No I miss NHL 2nite on ESPN 2... That was like 1997..God im old..LOL
In 94 I thought i could die in peace... Now I watch a ranger game and just want to die.
I don't know why so many people hate Espn
It’s really wierd for me. That’s basically all I watch with all these stupid reality shows these days clogging the airwaves. Regardless of what happened with lebron and how they handle things above all it is a tv broadcasting network that provides coverage on sports and it’s mostly suppose to be entertaining. Think about how many people like watching Kevin weekes all day on the NHL network, not me. Coverage is good there though. The NHL really should move to Espn it is the most lucrative network now that Disney has bought it over. Guys eat sleep an breathe Espn with the NHL being on there it would gain so much more steam and popularity especially when i think the NHL is in a good spot now with it’s fans. I mean look what Espn has done to soccer, take this back 3 years ago ask a die hard football fan about soccer they’ll say it’s a pu**y sport. Now Ive never seen so many soccer fans of all types it can really help the NHL.
by klh2009 on Jul 27, 2010 1:18 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Hockey on ESPN
Would give the league the expanded platform of the ESPN Networks, including radio (Mike & Mike) , expanded Sports Center and ESPN News highlights and a recast ‘NHL 2 Nite’ show. Getting one prime time game each week (thursday after college football ends) on ESPN and filling that in w/ 3-4 games each week in ESPN 2 (including 10 pm starts-Sunday Night or Mondya night double headers?) . Key is to have half hr 2nite highlight show on @ 10 or 10:30, while hockey fans in east coast cities are still awake and they can bring highlights in real time or go from game to game.
Benwa
Watch NHL Network
Best highlight show ever!!
In 94 I thought i could die in peace... Now I watch a ranger game and just want to die.
Think its called
NHL on the Fly
In 94 I thought i could die in peace... Now I watch a ranger game and just want to die.
Versus
Versus is a joke. I will try and catch a game when there are 10-12 games on and Versus is showing bull riding from 03. JOKE! 1-2 games a week is not the coverage any sport needs.
Yeah but Verses was there for the NHL when no one else was. ESPN said if the NHL locked out they would go under, so even though Versus coverage is not the best they stepped up. I understand this is business but Versus grew wth the NHL after they came back. So if nothing else even if they go back to ESPN I would like to see Versus get a few games a year but not if that was a deal breaker for ESPN.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
No one else would almost cover as many games as Versus. Versus is NOT good for hockey at all. They paid a ton of money to get it and show more bull riding, fishing and archery than they do hockey. They have done no favors for this sport. At least ESPN carried 4-5 games a week. And ABC can keep it regional on the weekends. I like to watch all teams, but if I have a choice of NY or Nashville…….I am picking the NY game.
I am not excatly positive how this works but you are saying that Versus showed less games then they were contractually allowed to show?? That doesn’t make sense to me they paid to carry NHL games. Instead of NHL games they showed bull riding? I think the contract spells out how many games and when they should be on. I think it is good for the NHL to be on ESPN but I would be happy to see Versus to keep a few games.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
+
They show bull riding because thats what pays to be on. I dont think fishing and bull riding would be on if they had other options. ESPN has fishing on weekends I think.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
No, I don’t know what Versus is obligated to show, What I am saying is they only carry 1-2 games per week, out of how many games played on an average week? Espn broadcast at least 3-5 per week when they had it. I am not saying the provider should show nothing but hockey…….We all know that ESPN will spend more time talking about 1 football game a week than they will spend on the NHL in its entirety…….but at least they show games! If you live outside a hockey market……. as I do, you may see 1-2 of your teams games per year. The only way to follow is center ice. Pay for it!
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Atlantic Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York Rangers
|
51 | 33 | 13 | 5 | 71 |
|
Philadelphia
|
53 | 30 | 16 | 7 | 67 |
|
New Jersey
|
53 | 31 | 19 | 3 | 65 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
54 | 30 | 19 | 5 | 65 |
|
New York Islanders
|
52 | 22 | 22 | 8 | 52 |
(updated 2.9.2012 at 9:25 AM EST)
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
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Tampa Bay
|
Thu 02/09 | 7:00 PM EST |
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@
Philadelphia
|
Sat 02/11 | 1:00 PM EST |
|
Washington
|
Sun 02/12 | 12:30 PM EST |
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@
Boston
|
Tue 02/14 | 7:00 PM EST |
|
Chicago
|
Thu 02/16 | 7:00 PM EST |
Last 5 Games
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New Jersey
|
Tue 02/07 | L 0 - 1 |
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Philadelphia
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Sun 02/05 | W 5 - 2 |
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@
Buffalo
|
Wed 02/01 | SO - W 1 - 0 |
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@
New Jersey
|
Tue 01/31 | SO - L 3 - 4 |
|
Winnipeg
|
Tue 01/24 | W 3 - 0 |
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