Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
Unprecedented exposure and advertising they couldn't ever afford otherwise.
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To who though? In this case in particular, with games to be aired from around 2 am EST to around 10am EST, who exactly? Die hards who love hockey already? Yup, but you don't need those people. Europeans? Meh, they have the KHL so if they return to watch any hockey it'll be that so they don't have to get up at 3am to watch the NHL. It works perfectly when its in North America because it can help drive US viewers to watch, and even then its only if the Americans are doing well. The second they're out, most of the American audience doesn't care.
Basketball on the other hand has large international growth potential so it makes sense for them (especially when its not during the season). Hockey? I just don't think it provides a huge boost to anything. Its obviously great for fans of the game, but outside the US (and for the US, only because they made the final), I don't think the 2010 Olympics did much to increase the NHL's exposure. So basically unless you plan on having the US in every final trying to drive up interest there, it won't have a huge impact on increasing exposure. Advertising? Nothing at all. Most people know the NHL exists already. They choose not to pay attention.