Look who's talking: ESPN, NHL

[VodkaFish]

Look who’s talking: ESPN, NHL

The NHL and ESPN are in discussions about bringing the league’s games back to ESPN2 as soon as the 2008-09 season.

Multiple sources described the conversations as preliminary. The two started talking the week of July 16 when the NHL approached ESPN about NBC’s nine-game regular-season schedule, plus the playoffs. NBC holds the rights to air the coming season as part of a revenue-sharing agreement, and the network holds a one-year option for the 2008-09 season.

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Hat Tip to KK

[caps05]

Interesting. Even though ESPN's care for the NHL waned significantly over the final few years when they had them the first time around, ESPN's much better than Versus.

At the absolute LEAST, you're guaranteed that it's available on all cable systems.

[AVALANCHE FAN]

I hope it happens but knowing the NHL their contract with VS probably says they cant show games on any other channel but NBC which is totaly worthless,Every time theirs a golf tournament or a retarded horse race we get screwed out of a game!

[Purely_Purinton]

If we get NHL2Night back, then it's all worth it.

[BGDDYKWL]

This would be huge for the NHL, and they need to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Not even necessarily that it would lead to a resurrection of the sport if you will, but the bottom line is there is zero chance that the league's struggles won't continue indefinitely if the only place that the majority of people can watch it is on Versus.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by BGDDYKWL

This would be huge for the NHL, and they need to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Not even necessarily that it would lead to a resurrection of the sport if you will, but the bottom line is there is zero chance that the league's struggles won't continue indefinitely if the only place that the majority of people can watch it is on Versus.

Pretty much my thoughts. There just isnt a big enough audience on VS to keep the sport afloat - and 9 games here and there on NBC isnt enough national exposure to keep the league going.

The NHL will live or die with getting back onto ESPN.

[Isles4life]

Even if the NHL is ESPN's lowest priority, it still gives it more exposure than VS. This is a must-do deal for the league.

[IhateLindros]

Cant wait for the entire Detroit vs Colorado series....

[D Y B FLYERS]

Originally Posted by Purely_Purinton

If we get NHL2Night back, then it's all worth it.

Exactly

[HordiBrusk29]

It won't really matter one way or the other. Sure more people will have the opportunity to watch games if they are on ESPN. But as a whole the ratings will still be dismal and it isn't going to make any significant difference at the end of the day.

[Captain Crunch28]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

It won't really matter one way or the other. Sure more people will have the opportunity to watch games if they are on ESPN. But as a whole the ratings will still be dismal and it isn't going to make any significant difference at the end of the day.

I dont know...

Most people dont watch hockey because they simply know nothing about it.. I dont know anybody who actually knows the game and doesn't like hockey..
As popular as ESPN is, I think the NHL will get recognized, and hopefully become a more watched sport in the future..
At one point during the lockout wasn't NHL ratings better than the MLB or NBA?

Overall, it's still a step in the right direction, and a h*ll of a lot better than Versus, when a lot of people doesn't even get Versus, me included!

[HordiBrusk29]

Maybe I'd believe that if this was the first time NHL hockey would be on ESPN. But the fact is the NHL has been on ESPN for many years and the ratings still sucked. That isn't going to change now, especially with the game being even more boring and dull today than it was during the mid 90's.

[Isles4life]

Originally Posted by Captain Crunch28

Most people dont watch hockey because they simply know nothing about it.. I dont know anybody who actually knows the game and doesn't like hockey..

I'm gonna have to disagree with that statement. It might actually be true, but a lot of American sports fans see hockey on TV and instantly change the channel because they're just not interested. I think the NHL needs to get back on ESPN, but don't assume that they'll have a bunch of new fans with the increased exposure all of a sudden.

[itsJ.Millertime]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Maybe I'd believe that if this was the first time NHL hockey would be on ESPN. But the fact is the NHL has been on ESPN for many years and the ratings still sucked. That isn't going to change now, especially with the game being even more boring and dull today than it was during the mid 90's.

I agree with you Hordi. The way the games now played it really dosent matter who televises the games because the ratings will be terrible. Sadly the games just are not exciting enough to capture the average sports fans attention long enough to make them fans of the sport. And with so many hardcore fans also being unable to watch this garbage it makes little difference if it's on espn or not. Bring it back to what it was in the late 80's and you may have a chance.

Most people dont watch hockey because they simply know nothing about it.. I dont know anybody who actually knows the game and doesn't like hockey..

I know alot of people that know alot about hockey but HATE todays nhl. Look around this site and you'll see thousands of them.

[Mr. Pink]

I would like to see the NHL back on ESPN, but I'm with Ihatelindros. Most games will feature Red Wings, Carolina, and other snoozefest pansy teams. Not really interested unless they promise 3 games a week.