Quote:
Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis
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.
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I remember the day after the Vancouver Canada/US gold medal game all there was a flood of american callers calling into the Jim Rome show saying they don't follow hockey but that was one of the most tense and amazing games they have seen in any sport, riveted to their chairs, etc. I'm not saying it converts millions of fans but it does gain attention and notoriety for the league much like the outdoor classic games.