Dumb quote

[Shell]

:roll: Ya might wanna learn how something works before issuing a statement about it :roll:

"In this sport, even with a wild card, you can't back-door it. It's not like hockey, where everybody gets in and then you just have to get a hot goalie. Everybody goes in basketball. And in the NFL, two teams go from each division. You don't get shams in the playoffs in baseball."

-- Philadelphia Phillies manager Larry Bowa.

[Jeff O Rocks]

It's not like hockey, where everybody gets in and then you just have to get a hot goalie.

ok....WHERE ARE OUR CANES??? Did they get jipped?????? :eek: :crazy: DOH!!

[crazy4canes]

It's not like hockey, where everybody gets in and then you just have to get a hot goalie.

Oh brother. :roll: Next time he should use his mouth to speak not his....well, you know. ;) :angel:

[Shell]

One more for ya..

Nobody would accuse me of a pro-hockey bias. But at the moment the NHL playoffs present a more intriguing player than anybody in the NBA playoffs: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the human shield of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. This guy is sensational. He's the star in the face of the sky. Not that anyone is going to watch the Stanley Cup finals. NHL TV ratings are so low you could send one airport van to pick up everybody in America who wants to watch. But at least Giguere gives you a reason to alight on the game for a few minutes as you roll through your TV channels.

[talkingcanes]

according to the N&O today, ratings in Canada were down to an average of 1.4 million for conference finals this year, compared to an average of 2.3 million last year. ESPN is apparently drawing a little more than 1/2 million each game.

that number won't make them eager to expand their coverage :roll:

there HAS to be more than 500,000 hockey fans in the whole US, but maybe once their team is out, many people don't watch.

[tommy]

Tony Kornheiser is a dumbass. All he and Michael Wilbon ever talk about is how hockey sucks. Pay no attention to him.

[Jeff O Rocks]

One more for ya..

Nobody would accuse me of a pro-hockey bias. But at the moment the NHL playoffs present a more intriguing player than anybody in the NBA playoffs: Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the human shield of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. This guy is sensational. He's the star in the face of the sky. Not that anyone is going to watch the Stanley Cup finals. NHL TV ratings are so low you could send one airport van to pick up everybody in America who wants to watch. But at least Giguere gives you a reason to alight on the game for a few minutes as you roll through your TV channels.

Must resist losing my shoe up his stupid ass!! :mad: the only hockey team he pays attention to is the Crapitals...that explains everything!! :roll:

[Stormbringer]

Tony Kornheiser is a dumbass. All he and Michael Wilbon ever talk about is how hockey sucks. Pay no attention to him.

Yeah...I used to like Pardon the Interruption until I found out how much Kornholio and Wilbutt make fun of hockey and diss it. IMHO, anybody who puts down hockey is not a legitimate sports "expert"...in order to be such a thing, you gotta respect most sports in one form or another, no matter how popular they are and/or how much you like them.

[Turbulence]

Y'kno, I had thought hockey was a sport on the rise...but everywhere I go I see sportscasters ('experts') downgrading hockey at every chance they get. Is it that bad of a sport? How can a sport as numbing as the NBA draw better ratings than hockey...even in the birthplace of hockey the ratings are down...and in favor of what? :sick: Whatever floats your boat, I guess. Obviously hockey isn't floating too many boats these days.

Sometimes I wonder if we should buy an island in the south pacific and make it a soverign nation dedicated to hockey...then I come back to the real world and realize I can't buy and island and declare it soverign...that I will remain here in the US as nothing but a number in a vast, dehumanized and de-hockey-ized world. But I digress.

[tommy]

That's a great idea! A small island! The People's Republic of Turby! lol... well, as long as its not a nudist colony, I'm all for it!

[Jeff O Rocks]

How can a sport as numbing as the NBA draw better ratings than hockey...

Good question Turby....I don't know a single soul that watches any NBA games...I would rather have my teeth drilled while my feet were being lit by a blow torch than have to watch an entire game!! :crazy:

as you said...whatever floats your boat....but hockey is way more interesting and exciting than pro basketball could ever HOPE to be!! :roll:

[Stormbringer]

Y'kno, I had thought hockey was a sport on the rise...but everywhere I go I see sportscasters ('experts') downgrading hockey at every chance they get. Is it that bad of a sport? How can a sport as numbing as the NBA draw better ratings than hockey...even in the birthplace of hockey the ratings are down...and in favor of what? :sick: Whatever floats your boat, I guess. Obviously hockey isn't floating too many boats these days.

Maybe the "experts" are right, but more than likely, they're not...I've read various websites and articles that said hockey's popularity has actually been climbing for the last few years. Some places I've been to have said that attendance for various hockey teams (Like the Canes. :spin:) went up this season. And regardless of what the "experts" say, the NBA is practically in the same boat as the NHL in both attendance and especially television viewership...as a matter of fact, the NBA let their rights be brought out by ESPN/ABC so they could hopefully get more viewership. :roll: Just like the one thing both leagues share is having at least one stadium sell-out team (NBA - L.A. Lakers, NHL - Colorado Avalanche), the one thing both leagues don't have in common is a salary cap issue...and that may be one reason so many sports "experts" love to diss hockey.

The reasons why sports "experts" and such love to make fun of hockey are rather vague...but if they're the reasons I'm thinking of, they could be used to knock the NBA as well...

Funky Hair - Of course, hockey is notorious for players and coaches sporting the mullet, one of the most infamous "bad haircuts" ever. I use that loosely because I don't think a mullet looks all that bad if it actually looks tasteful and/or controlled (ala Ronnie in his Pittsburgh days and the Great One). Melrose certainly doesn't help matters with his greased locks...but if hockey is being made fun of just because of certain players' hair, more past than present, that is absolutely stupid. With the haircuts and dos I've seen in the NBA, some people have some darned gall...

Toothless Grin - I actually have no idea what is more notorious in hockey, the mullets or the lack of teeth. I do know that lack of teeth is made fun of just as often, if not more. If there's anything that sums this up perfectly, it's a McDonald's ad I remember seeing a few years ago. The ad featured Ronald McDonald and a bunch of kids playing hockey and singing about it. Well at the end, one of the kids utters a mandatory "Can we go to McDonald's?!", and Ronald says "Sure! But there's one problem...". And Ronald and the kids flash smiles that practically consist of maybe three or four teeth. :beatup: :crazy: Yeeeeeah...way to go Mickey D's. That *really* makes kids want to play hockey or even watch it. Thank god that ad did not last that long...seeing Ronald McDonald and company like that... :eek2: Anyway, this is possibly the only aspect that could not be used against the NBA, since I've yet to see a b-ball player without any teeth, darnit.

O Canada - Alright, I don't know why, but I have noticed an increase in jokes about Canada in the last few years. And those jokes really baffle my mind as much as jokes about the Jewish...why are such jokes made? The only Canadian jokes I have ever really enjoyed were those that were the Great White North skits on Second City Television, and those were done by Canadians making fun of themselves. Anyway, I almost wonder if such jokes being made in poking fun at the poor Canadians and their country have led to hockey's losing popularity or actually the media's claiming that. Afterall, hockey is considered Canada's sport, NOT America's, like football and basketball. So with that said, you can bet the media loves to get its licks in against an "un-American" sport through claiming that it's not popular in not just America, but also its "home country". If this is actually the case, I got news for the "experts" who are having a blast at the expense of hockey and our neighbors up north...

1. Hockey is not the national sport of Canada. Lacrosse is.

2. There is a Canadian team in the NBA, the Toronto Raptors, and a Canadian player named Steve Nash, who happens to be one of the NBA's top scorers.

...and last but certainly not least...

3. Basketball is as Canadian as the sport whose humble roots started with sticks, a frozen lake, and a piece of moose dung. While basketball was not invented in Canada, it was invented by a Canadian named James Naismith.

The Ratings Game - Last season, Stanley Cup Final ratings were very good. The reason for this? "America's team", the Detroit Red Wings, were there. I'm very willing to bet that if it had come down to the Canes and Avs, those ratings would have been just as good, if not better. But, if it had come down to the Canes and Canucks or Coyotes to name a couple of "nobody teams", the ratings would have supposedly been pee-poor. I'm also very willing to bet that if the Wings had defeated the Ducks and the Avs had beaten the Wild like they were predicted to, the ratings would be higher...but since America's teams didn't get to face-off against each other nor go to the finals, of course the ratings are going to be "bad". If this is the case, we may never know hockey's "true" ratings and viewership, especially now that the NBA eats up what little space could be used to help hockey's supposed viewership problem... :roll:

So hockey's supposed decrease in popularity could be because of one of those reasons, all of them, or none of them...it does make one wonder. Though, one thing's for certain...if the majority of the coverage of the Canes and hockey around here (Excluding Luke DeCock...I'm thinking of stuff like when Drew Smith interviewed Brindy and asked something about attendance and support being down, about which Brindy promptly corrected Drew, mentioning the January 20th St. Louis game.) is any indication, there is a lot of poor journalism, research, and commentary regarding the said team and especially sport. And, I suspect that such mess is not a local thing... :roll:

[Guyute]

huh. I guess I'd have to vote none. hehe

I don't think hair, teeth, or the fact that it's a canadian sport have anything to do with much of anything really. hockey players loose teeth, always have, always will. does it make people watch less? can't imagine why it would. same goes for hair. that's just flat-out silly. you might have an argument about hair styles drawing or detracting from viewership, back before there were helmets...
not that I think many people care what everyone's hair looks like. but that could just be me.

anyway... my feelings on ratings are here:
http://www.letsgocanes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=521&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=ratings

[Stormbringer]

As are my feelings on ratings...I certainly hope none of what I said above regarding why hockey is made fun of by the "experts" is true. If it is true...well, what else can I say other than how close-minded and stupid can people get? :roll:

As for ratings themselves and what effects them, I see where you're coming from Guyute and I agree for the most part, but I also cannot help but feel that certain teams' playoff performances (As mentioned in "The Ratings Game" part of my post/article questioning hockey's being the butt of sports.) AND the NBA and especially the NFL hogging sports ratings and popularity (http://www.letsgocanes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15492#15492) doesn't help either.

[Guyute]

NBA hogging ratings? doesn't that contradict your earlier post where you said that NBA ratings were in as much bad shape as the NHL? or am I confused? :)

The NFL has the ratings, for sure. and they always will. one of the reason, imo, is they have regular showings... ie- Every Sunday (during the season) at standard start times. one late night sunday game, and one monday night game. It doesn't change, until the very end of the season, when college football is done, and then the NFL can play some saturday games.

there's a continuity there that hockey can never have. the closest the NHL has is Hockey Night in Canada. I'm sure the week to week ratings for that broadcast is more than just about any 'non-regular' broadcast.

well, also the fact that football is a pasttime for most Americans (as I equated soccer to in my other post).... as where hockey is FAR from that.
I still say, until hockey is more accessible to the youth of America, it's never going to get any better viewership than it has now.

[Stormbringer]

NBA hogging ratings? doesn't that contradict your earlier post where you said that NBA ratings were in as much bad shape as the NHL? or am I confused? :)

Well, I said *especially the NFL*, but it wouldn't surprise me if the MLB and/or NBA got a tiny slice of that pie too. From what I hear, the NBA unfortunately does better than the NHL, but just not by a lot...

[nccanes]

well, also the fact that football is a pasttime for most Americans (as I equated soccer to in my other post).... as where hockey is FAR from that.
I still say, until hockey is more accessible to the youth of America, it's never going to get any better viewership than it has now.

Agree with you (again) and also add that hockey and soccer just don't translate well onto TV - for the new viewer.

But like Guy said, until people go to watch their kids play hockey or they actually get to a few NHL games live, it will be difficult to gain a TV audience (especially with the issues on broadcast continuity mentioned above). I know the Ice Caps had a decent following, but I'd bet that most attendees weren't watching the NHL on TV, unless they were already doing it before they moved to Raleigh or before the Ice Caps were here. Don't really know, but I bet the NHL ratings locally have increased dramatically over the last few years.

[Shell]

I agree completely Eileen. Before I was "exposed" (not as dirty as it sounds) I couldn't stand hockey on TV. After going to games I fell in love with the sport but still couldn't stand it on TV.. it took years for me to get to my obsessive self. If you don't having anyone actively converting you and watch 1 game on TV - chances are you're not going to rush out for tickets. JMO

[Jeff O Rocks]

I agree completely Eileen. Before I was "exposed" (not as dirty as it sounds) I couldn't stand hockey on TV. After going to games I fell in love with the sport but still couldn't stand it on TV.. it took years for me to get to my obsessive self. If you don't having anyone actively converting you and watch 1 game on TV - chances are you're not going to rush out for tickets. JMO

I was the same way Shell.....I used to watch the Canes every now and then just cause they were the "home team".....and then I went to a game and that got me started....watching on tv is never as much fun as being at any sporting event, but hopefully fans will start going and watching at home when they can't make it! ..and I am as obsessive as you are...I hear a hockey song on the radio and I feel like :cry: !! I think I have turned some fellow workers on to the Canes....everyone uses me for their "hockey source"!! ;) Long live the NHL!! :)

[folgersnyourcup]

I'll never understand why more can't get into hockey. As Tommy said once, it almost feels like a cult to like hockey. I just don't understand though! Sudden death overtime........boring? Big hits, emotion, storyline, sweet goals, even sweeter saves, surprise contenders, what's not to like?


It just doesn't make a damn bit of sense why all these sportscasters not only don't seem to give a crap about hockey but go out of their way to put it down.

Now perhaps I could understand if it was soccer they were talking about...... :D

But not hockey.

[Shell]

Blasphemy anyone?

Oft-suspended Dallas Mavericks forward Danny Fortson insists he is not a "thug" -- as Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo called him. It seems Colangelo was mortified by Fortson's vicious, pointless foul on Zarko Cabarkapa, which sidelined the Suns rookie with a broken wrist.

"They said worse things about Jesus, and he still was able to keep going and be successful," Fortson told the Dallas Morning News. "Jesus is my role model."

[corylav]

I'll never understand why more can't get into hockey.

Most people I know that aren't real sports fans simply complain that they can't follow the puck. That is the acquired taste of hockey that holds back a lot of people. But let's be clear .... the glowing puck is not the answer.

[e2ipiand1]

I like the Jim Belushi Hockey commercial.

"You see the guy with both hands on his stick and the stick is on the ice? He's got the puck!"

[7barnes]

Y'kno, I had thought hockey was a sport on the rise...but everywhere I go I see sportscasters ('experts') downgrading hockey at every chance they get. Is it that bad of a sport? How can a sport as numbing as the NBA draw better ratings than hockey...even in the birthplace of hockey the ratings are down...and in favor of what? :sick:

...And golf...WTF? Golf on TV? I think I've seen more golf on TV than hockey. Now THAT's a real insomnia buster. :mad:

[Shell]

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal doesn't want to wait and see what happens during the off-season. He wants the Lakers to deal him to a contender.

"They say I'm getting older," he told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. "Of course, I am.

"But can't nobody (mess) with me. I'm like toilet paper, Pampers and toothpaste. I'm definitely proven to be effective."

Uh, OK.

[Shell]

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal doesn't want to wait and see what happens during the off-season. He wants the Lakers to deal him to a contender.

"They say I'm getting older," he told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. "Of course, I am.

"But can't nobody (mess) with me. I'm like toilet paper, Pampers and toothpaste. I'm definitely proven to be effective."

Uh, OK.

[Shell]

Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal doesn't want to wait and see what happens during the off-season. He wants the Lakers to deal him to a contender.

"They say I'm getting older," he told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. "Of course, I am.

"But can't nobody (mess) with me. I'm like toilet paper, Pampers and toothpaste. I'm definitely proven to be effective."

Uh, OK.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Well, I have to say I've always thought he was a bit like toilet paper myself. Nice to have that confirmed. :lol:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Well, I have to say I've always thought he was a bit like toilet paper myself. Nice to have that confirmed. :lol:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Well, I have to say I've always thought he was a bit like toilet paper myself. Nice to have that confirmed. :lol: