Not so long ago, the NHL seemed like it was on the brink of losing what little cultural relevance it had left. The lockout irritated the sport's loyal fans, and less-loyal fans simply lost interest. Attendance was weak, and what were thought to have been important contests were getting beaten in the ratings by arena football games.Now, Nashville investor David Freeman has led a group buying the Nashville Predators franchise for $193 million -- a strong vote of confidence in the league's future.
The last NHL team to be sold was the St. Louis Blues in 2006. The Blues fetched $150 million. An NHL-commissioned report found that, during the 2002-2003 season, the NHL's 30 teams lost a total of $273 million.
It seems like efforts to rein in player salaries may be making the league more competitive financially, and the NHL could be back on the road to profitability.
Now all it needs is a young stud to revive mainstream interest the way that Wayne Gretzky did many years ago. If the league can get behind promoting him, 20-year old Penguins phenom Sidney Crosby could be their man.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-03-2007 @ 7:45PM
Carlos said...
I would like to see ALL NHL games televised in HD, right now a lot of teams/networks are not taking this seriously. HD should be a top priority considering that all other major US sports have made the switch over to HD.
Hockey looks amazing in HD it has been a driving force in getting me back into watching games. I have even ordered NHL Center Ice on Dish Network for the first time just to get more games.
12-03-2007 @ 7:52PM
byterider757 said...
Another item that would greatly improve the public's perception of the NHL is to heavily penalize the fighting that goes on during the game. Although some go to the games with the intent on watching a game *and* the fights, it is the fighting amoungst the ice millionaires that turn me off. If I wanted to watch crap, I'd turn on WWE.
In comparison, the NFL is a class-act. The NFL allows hard hits, but they don't put up with unsportsman-like conduct. Nor should the fans of the NHL...
12-10-2007 @ 3:09PM
Dave said...
Byterider, please, go watch soccer. Hockeys fighting is part of the sport. It was when they let all the ballerina skaters from countries we can't even find on maps, start playing,that the sport went to hell. Nobody can tell a kov from a kop, nor does anyone care to. Football on ice , with a puck, is what sells this sport, and wimps who wanna see ice capades should become Brian Boitanno groupies, and leave the sport alone.
12-03-2007 @ 8:36PM
byterider757 said...
I bet you would REALLY enjoy WWE... on ice.
12-06-2007 @ 5:34PM
linn cawston said...
In response to carlos - true NHL hockey is amazing in HD but am I the only person who finds it totally rediculous that all the broadcasters find it necessary to use the camera on and above the center line across from the players bench for the play coverage. It seems as if they have cloned the camera operator as it's the same for CBC, Tsn, Sportsnet or whatever and he never took photography 101 - 1st rule never zoom then pan the camera - when he pans up and down the ice I find it helps to take some gravol to prevent vertigo, also most of the near boards action is blocked by the boards of course - go figure. Has no one ever noticed how great the coverage is when they use the cameras from above and behind the nets !! I really think there can be only one reason for using the center line camera - did u guess it - right BOARD ADVERTISING -