Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

[TripleCrown9]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

Also this probably has to do with tv contracts and deals, but how come I never see a nhl game on espn? For such a major sport it should get way more tv time.

It's contract is with NBC.

[FlyingFinn]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

For me I don't think it is the cost. I played street hockey growing up and all you needed was a stick and a tennis ball to play. A goal was nice but not necessary and the goalie just needed a stick and a baseball glove. If you could find a fenced in tennis court to play on that was even better because you didn't have to chase the ball

[Perfect Zero]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

It's contract is with NBC.

Not only that, but if I remember right the NHL burned a lot of bridges with ESPN. Once you piss off Mickey Mouse, that's pretty much the end of your coverage on the empire.

I wouldn't say that all Americans or even people in habitable climates don't like hockey. I was a big fan of the Fort Worth Brahmas when I was a kid and I still went to a number of games. The problem used to be the number of rinks. That problem is starting to go down especially since the Stars have put a lot of money into building up hockey here in North Texas. Ever since the local mall built a rink, my high school has played there and won a State Championship. Hockey around here is starting to become something that you can grow up with.

Now though it's going to be a lot more difficult. With the Brahmas closing up shop (I wish the ECHL would take them, but I highly doubt they will), I'll switch my allegiance to the Stars. It just means that I'll go to about three games a year instead of ten. It also means that I can't get cheep tickets to bring friends who may not know the game very well.

[DrJones]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

Now though it's going to be a lot more difficult. With the Brahmas closing up shop (I wish the ECHL would take them, but I highly doubt they will), I'll switch my allegiance to the Stars. It just means that I'll go to about three games a year instead of ten. It also means that I can't get cheep tickets to bring friends who may not know the game very well.

You can't? I was in Dallas last year and saw a Stars/Sharks game for nine bucks.

[Redacted01]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

You can't? I was in Dallas last year and saw a Stars/Sharks game for nine bucks.

I'd kill for seats that affordable. Cost me $60 a ticket for cheap seats to see the Caps and Lightning.

Probably not enough exposure, most American sports fans like myself watch sports center and they are too busy with reporting what Tebow had for breakfast and talk about hockey for 5 minutes. Also not enough televised games for teams that aren't local. I just got into hockey this year. Also if you have a crappy dorm tv you can't see the puck Go Caps!

Something like a third of the schedule was nationally televised this year. We'll see if that is just a product of the short season of if they keep up with it next year. You could have watched a nationally televised game every night this season with the exception of 2 days. Now, if you don't have access to NHL Network or NBC Sports, that's not their fault.

[superballs]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

But because TD's are worth more on the scoreboard, NFL fans believe it is a better game lol.

It's a lot like AFL and Rugby League here in Australia, if you're raised with it and understand it, it's a great game that you'll enjoy watching. But if you're not raised with it then you spend too long trying to figure it out when you watch to enjoy it.

I don't get everything tactically about hockey (I'm learning) but the speed, athleticism and strength/physical play of the game is what attracted me. I have a few friends who also think the same.

I personally don't think one needs to understand rugby to be able to enjoy it, not that's an awesome sport.

You can't? I was in Dallas last year and saw a Stars/Sharks game for nine bucks.

Looks like I'm moving to Dallas

In response to the OP, Chicago fans are going nuts right now,

Detroit is called Hockeytown despite also housing the Lions, Pistons and Tigers (they are nuts about their tigers though)

San Jose Sharks seem to be popular at home, Anaheim as well, LA Kings fans turn out, there are plenty of americans who love hockey. Denver, Minnesota, New York etc.

[sycodmn]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

For a warm weather state, hockey does really well in California. Gretzky coming here had a lot to do with that, as well as the fact that the Kings have been around since the NHL expanded from the Original Six. There's actually an article in the recent SI about California hockey.

I grew up playing roller hockey, but got out of it once I started playing high school football.

[pietasterp]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

'cuz this is 'Murica, dammit.

[Storm12]

'cuz this is 'Murica, dammit.

Lol! Don't make me go all Bret Hart heel turn on 'Mericans and hockey... I'm kiddin.

[Amoo316]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

Exposure + strikes have really killed my interest.

I'm from Florida and lived there when they launched the Panthers, who drew pretty well for a while. One of my best friends growing up was a Penguins fan and it was in the middle of the great Pens vs Caps playoff series back then so I became a.....Caps fan :P. Still to this day have the Blue and White Sweater.

I was really getting into it and learning a lot about the game right as the strike happened. They pissed ESPN off and ESPN kicked it off the airways and **** hockey to a bunch of crappy channels nobody watches for anything else and that about did it for me.

I really enjoy the game, second favorite live event behind college football, but outside of watching the conference finals and the playoffs I just don't care anymore.

Basically I'm blaming Bettman for more Americans not liking hockey.

[Redacted01]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

Exposure + strikes have really killed my interest.

I'm from Florida and lived there when they launched the Panthers, who drew pretty well for a while. One of my best friends growing up was a Penguins fan and it was in the middle of the great Pens vs Caps playoff series back then so I became a.....Caps fan :P. Still to this day have the Blue and White Sweater.

I was really getting into it and learning a lot about the game right as the strike happened. They pissed ESPN off and ESPN kicked it off the airways and **** hockey to a bunch of crappy channels nobody watches for anything else and that about did it for me.

I really enjoy the game, second favorite live event behind college football, but outside of watching the conference finals and the playoffs I just don't care anymore.

Basically I'm blaming Bettman for more Americans not liking hockey.

It got sent to OLN/Versus, which made it a legitimate network now known as NBC Sports, and NBC, and I don't think many would consider NBC a "crappy" channel. You make it sound like it got sent to Spike and Lifetime or something. It also eventually led to the NHL Network. That probably would have happened any way, but getting off ESPN I would say is probably a good thing.

Like I said earlier, we got at least one nationally televised game every day of the season, except for 2 days. If it were still on ESPN, Monday and Wednesday are baseball in April, Wednesday and Friday are Basketball for the entire NHL season, and then playoffs they show games almost nightly then. So let's say they stay on ESPN so you don't "lose interest".

You'd get 1-2 games a week on Thursday night. Maybe a game a week on Tuesday night, maybe. ABC showed games for maybe a month (Wiki says 4-5 weeks in January and February). In 11-12, NBC showed weekend games from January through the playoffs. Let's throw in the NHL Network and maybe you pick up a game on Tuesday and Friday. ESPN and ABC just don't have the space. They have MLB, NBA, NASCAR, and Monday Night Football. Not to mention all the other sports they show. At the time, not being on ESPN may look bad, but now? I'd say they are better off. Sure, people could watch the 30 second highlights ESPN half asses for all sports, but you'd hardly see any games during the week.

[gopher_guy]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

The thing they need to do is get NBCSN onto a more basic cable/satellite package.

I had to upgrade our satellite (DirecTV) in order to watch the playoffs. Casual fans aren't doing that.

[Redacted01]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

The thing they need to do is get NBCSN onto a more basic cable/satellite package.

I had to upgrade our satellite (DirecTV) in order to watch the playoffs. Casual fans aren't doing that.

On Fios, it's the same tier as ESPN and a tier below NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB.

DirecTV really seems to break theirs up weird, so don't assume because you have to upgrade on that, that everyone does. I know someone with Comcast and NBC Sports is included on the digital starter tier. They have an economy one, but it doesn't even include ESPN so doubt any casual sports fan would get that tier.

[gopher_guy]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

Yep, I have Comcast in my apartment at school, and we get NBCSN on our basic package. But, to my knowledge both DirecTV and Dish Network have NBCSN a tier above the basic.

[Redacted01]

Re: Why don't people (especially Americans) like hockey?

Yep, I have Comcast in my apartment at school, and we get NBCSN on our basic package. But, to my knowledge both DirecTV and Dish Network have NBCSN a tier above the basic.

Eh, yea, that's satellite. My parents have it and I loved it when I lived at home, but seems you might as well get the higher end packages any way if you are already spending extra.