Avery targets Bettman and Iginla

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/ - "Big Words" video

"Our commisioner hasn't realized that he needs to probably do a better job of marketing.....nobody cares about Jarome Iginla, guys like that aren't exciting......I would do a better job by myself."

Way off on Iginla, but right on with Bettman's marketing plan.

[esteef 2,679]

The only knock on Iggy is he turns into a f***in' baby at the end of losses and starts cheap shottin' people. Other than that he's aiight!

esteef

[YoungGuns1340 1]

He's right. With the exception of Iginla's crybaby antics at the end of tough losses, hes a pretty classy guy. Speaks well of others, doesn't cause controversy, etc.

Newsflash. Folks don't care about that. Its boring. People want controversy. They want dirt. They want trash talking. As much as a I hate to say it, it would be good for coverage of the sport. I mean...is it any coincidence that the only guy getting coverage outside of the hockey world is Sean Avery?

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

First Dallas/Calgary game will be goooood. I hope Iginla feeds Avery his lunch.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/ - "Big Words" video

"Our commisioner hasn't realized that he needs to probably do a better job of marketing.....nobody cares about Jarome Iginla, guys like that aren't exciting......I would do a better job by myself."

Way off on Iginla, but right on with Bettman's marketing plan.

Hes not way off on Iginla. Hes spot on. Hockey fans care about Jarome Iginla. No one else. How much coverage did Sean Avery get when he was dating Elisha Cuthbert? Tons. How much coverage did/does Dion Phaneuf get for dating Elisha Cuthbert? None, outside of canada and the NHL world.

How many other hockey players get mention in the likes of People Magazine, Vogue, or the NY times outside of the sports section?

[soultrain 43]

avery is right. the nhl needs a T.O. does the nhl even have a marketing department? i remember all the rappers wearing jerseys in videos in the '90's. i remember the movie about the mighty ducks. i remember street hockey was all over my neighborhood as a kid. you don't see any of that kinda thing in the media or on the street these days. the products the nhl puts out look dated. example- allisa milano's garbage, and the tribal style sj sharks hoodie they were selling ALL LAST SEASON. the designers they use on certain styles of clothing and certain logos really bother me. they are missing the boat. i believe the success of the nhl depends on how they market the sport through corny movies, through rap videos, and hiring some cutting edge design teams to create a look that will appeal to people who just don't want there favorite team on a shirt they wear while working on the camero. why does every kid on the west coast own at least 3 hats that have different color mlb logos on them. the nhl should have mass marketed that kinda thing, but even that might been too late. market your crap to the urban croud. and when i say urban i mean rap crowd, because people in new york and california think its cool, and they are the ones spending hella cash, because they sell weed. word. HERE IS A FREE ONE NHL-start making your stuff modeled after what n.w.a would wear in 1992. make all third jersey be old school 90's and 80's logos. even if that mean using the jets jerseys.

[Grim 5]

ho hum... Avery needs to save the chatter for results on the ice.

who the heck cares what kind of press he got in Rangerland! did his antics really make anyone want to watch his game?

Sorry. Leave the gimmicks for the beancounters... I'll take Iginla.

[DYags 0]

I don't know how you can't like this guy. I loved him when he was with the wings while at the same time admitted he had some negatives. But what other player in the NHL can you think of that would actually truthfully speak there mind when asked such questions?

IMO, he is spot on. The NHL focuses all their attention on promoting the high scoring superstars like Crosby and Iginla and completely ignore all other elements of the game. If I know very little about hockey and all that is being talked about is these guys that are going to score X amount of points, then I'm going to perceive hockey as one dimensional. My ignorant friends are just like this. They don't even recognize the presence of the third and fourth liners. All they know is that Z and Dats are goal scorers. They don't understand the value of the 3rd and 4th lines.

avery is right. the nhl needs a T.O. does the nhl even have a marketing department? i remember all the rappers wearing jerseys in videos in the '90's. i remember the movie about the mighty ducks. i remember street hockey was all over my neighborhood as a kid. you don't see any of that kinda thing in the media or on the street these days. the products the nhl puts out look dated. example- allisa milano's garbage, and the tribal style sj sharks hoodie they were selling ALL LAST SEASON. the designers they use on certain styles of clothing and certain logos really bother me. they are missing the boat. i believe the success of the nhl depends on how they market the sport through corny movies, through rap videos, and hiring some cutting edge design teams to create a look that will appeal to people who just don't want there favorite team on a shirt they wear while working on the camero. why does every kid on the west coast own at least 3 hats that have different color mlb logos on them. the nhl should have mass marketed that kinda thing, but even that might been too late. market your crap to the urban croud. and when i say urban i mean rap crowd, because people in new york and california think its cool, and they are the ones spending hella cash, because they sell weed. word. HERE IS A FREE ONE NHL-start making your stuff modeled after what n.w.a would wear in 1992. make all third jersey be old school 90's and 80's logos. even if that mean using the jets jerseys.

Ahh. I'm going to have to disagree. What you're talking about is making large revenues on clothing lines. Making stylish hats that the "rap crowd" will buy isn't going to broaden our fan base. Do you think because some kid buys a retro Blue Jays hat that he suddenly watches their games? If you do, you're kidding yourself. The NHL needs to educate the public about how hockey works. All the elements.

If you don't even understand how the game works you don't become a fan.

Edited October 9, 2008 by Jedi

[soultrain 43]

Ahh. I'm going to have to disagree. What you're talking about is making large revenues on clothing lines. Making stylish hats that the "rap crowd" will buy isn't going to broaden our fan base. Do you think because some kid buys a retro Blue Jays hat that he suddenly watches their games? If you do, you're kidding yourself. The NHL needs to educate the public about how hockey works. All the elements.

If you don't even understand how the game works you don't become a fan.

you gotta make something super cool for "The NHL to educate the public about how hockey works." i mentioned the popularity of street hockey in the 90's. i didn't understand how the game worked when i watched slapshot when i was six, but that was what my brain wrapped around, furthering my interest in hockey. i also talked about logo recognition in the media, and on the street (rap gear was just one example, yaaass!)....how is that bad for the nhl? even nhl players try to make large revenues on clothing lines. the nhl does a sh*tty job at doing that already. somebody could do a much better job as a whole (not just clothes!) marketing the nhl to a young audience that will grow up to love hockey. so f*** you. its called being ahead of the curve. im real passionate about this, and the nhl should hire me. trust me..your idea of me would change after i started rippin' sh*t. disagree all you want, there is nothing wrong with a hipster kid rocking a wild red wings hat to junior high.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I have to support the couple of posts in here the Avery also brings some publicity, for better or worse with his opinions sometimes, to non-sports and non-sports media outlets.

With Avery specifically, I've had a few "What the f**k" moments in terms of controversial things he has said when he's opened his mouth.

More often than not, I hate drama and drama queens, I tend to try to ignore any extra/excess fluff or commentary that analysts might talk about for 30 hours straight, I just try to tend to watch the game, whatever sport it may be. Even though I might hate outspokenness sometimes, people might not like Avery because he shoots his mouth off, or whatever else, "entertainment" stuff like this sells, it gets plenty of people's attention.

Avery can certainly learn to keep his lid shut sometimes (and what I'm about to say conflicts with what I said in my last blurb), but there's something to be said for people that aren't afraid to speak their mind, even though it might sometimes backfire on him.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

The NHL only tries to market one player consistently, and that's Sidney Crosby. They don't even make an effort with any other players, except for maybe Ovechkin.

Everyone associated with the marketing of the NHL needs to be fired and replaced by someone who knows what they're doing.

All in all, the league probably needs more guys like Sean Avery. Face it, the public likes dumb, selfish athletes who speak their mind and don't have much respect for anybody. In this country those are the athletes that everyone loves to talk about.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Regardless of whether Avery is right or wrong, it sure would be nice for him to shut up and just play the game for once. Talk about someone that needs to defy their own existence.

[BeeRYCE 2]

In Avery's defense, he does play the game, doesn't shut up, but he still plays the game with passion and energy.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

The only knock on Iggy is he turns into a f***in' baby at the end of losses and starts cheap shottin' people. Other than that he's aiight!

esteef

I would agree,. Iginla is classy until his team is getting blown out! Very easy to dislike in those situations.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

In Avery's defense, he does play the game, doesn't shut up, but he still plays the game with passion and energy.

No one will argue that but as I said, it would just be nice for him to shut up and let his play speak for itself.

[MSUDoubleJ19 0]

No one will argue that but as I said, it would just be nice for him to shut up and let his play speak for itself.

If you were only considering him as a hockey player, yes I agree.

If he is trying to a celebrity then he shouldn't shut up, and that seems to be his intention.

Which one of these he wants more - player or celebrity - is up for debate. When you have a guy like Avery who will never go down in the history books for his hockey talent, maybe he feels the only way to get his name out there is to be a loudmouth *******.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

No one will argue that but as I said, it would just be nice for him to shut up and let his play speak for itself.

Why should he? Avery running his mouth IS part of his game. Sean Avery is the guy who mouths off to the media AND plays a fun brand of hockey. Like him or not, his play is not any better or worse because of what he says to the media. In fact - as much as I have to disagree with about 80% of the things that this guy spews to the media - hes the only one who has the balls to take his s*** from the ice to the press. Some of the worst trash-talkers in the league get up to the microphone and start talking like they're having tea with the queen. And thats great for us hockey fans - we can laud our players for being gentlemen and classy guys off the ice instead of rednecks and thugs. But do non-hockey fans care about that? Not really.

Bottom line is, the marketing tactics have to be two-fold. Sean Avery is the guy that gets folk looking towards hockey, Iggy, Datsyuk, and Crosby are the ones that show them exciting hockey once they're looking. But no ones going to look in the first place if boring talkers like Crosby and Iggy are leading the way.

Now, Im not advocating that everyone get out there and start talking trash, but the NHL needs at least a few guys who are willing to stir up some attention towards the sport. Sean Avery can't stand alone.

[egroen 384]

I don't like Avery but admit he is great for the sport.

The canned, "Aw shucks... the team that works hardest is going to win it... " interviews are boring. It's nice to see some guys with character speak their minds -- Hull and Roenik in the past, Avery and Ovechkin nowadays.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

If you were only considering him as a hockey player, yes I agree.

If he is trying to a celebrity then he shouldn't shut up, and that seems to be his intention.

Which one of these he wants more - player or celebrity - is up for debate. When you have a guy like Avery who will never go down in the history books for his hockey talent, maybe he feels the only way to get his name out there is to be a loudmouth *******.

If that's what he wants to be known as/remembered for, than that's sad IMO.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Why should he? Avery running his mouth IS part of his game. Sean Avery is the guy who mouths off to the media AND plays a fun brand of hockey. Like him or not, his play is not any better or worse because of what he says to the media. In fact - as much as I have to disagree with about 80% of the things that this guy spews to the media - hes the only one who has the balls to take his s*** from the ice to the press. Some of the worst trash-talkers in the league get up to the microphone and start talking like they're having tea with the queen. And thats great for us hockey fans - we can laud our players for being gentlemen and classy guys off the ice instead of rednecks and thugs. But do non-hockey fans care about that? Not really.

Bottom line is, the marketing tactics have to be two-fold. Sean Avery is the guy that gets folk looking towards hockey, Iggy, Datsyuk, and Crosby are the ones that show them exciting hockey once they're looking. But no ones going to look in the first place if boring talkers like Crosby and Iggy are leading the way.

Now, Im not advocating that everyone get out there and start talking trash, but the NHL needs at least a few guys who are willing to stir up some attention towards the sport. Sean Avery can't stand alone.

While I understand what you're getting at, why do people get caught up in needing to have someone create waves in the media for the sport of hockey? I just don't get it. The league continues to surpass projections year after year and is in great shape financially, yet we constantly hear people on this site bring up the argument that guys like Avery help bring exposure to the sport. While I also understand the reasoning behind no press is bad press, especially in a sport that is far behind the Big 3 in America, I just don't see why people here are so hell-bent on Hockey becoming the most popular sport in America and then using things like what Avery says as avenues for that to supposedly help the sports' position. It's never going to happen. Hockey is never going to be as popular in America as Football, Baseball or Basketball, but it doesn't have to be IMO.

Of course its "entertaining" to see T.O. be prick on TV (and the same goes for Avery), but it does get old. Do I respect the fact that he has the balls to say how he feels: sure. Do I wish he could also show a little class: absolutely.

[MSUDoubleJ19 0]

If that's what he wants to be known as/remembered for, than that's sad IMO.

I couldn't agree more.

The sad thing is, I think that's a problem for a number of young people these days - more interested in fame and celebrity than the more important things in life.

[Guest Shoreline]

Marketing one of the leagues most prolific scorers is indeed a good marketing plan. People will pay to see more goals. His antics don't even detract from others wanting to see him. If that were the case all of the lecturing, jockeying, and arguing Stevie Y used to do with refs would have prevented the Joe from selling out and the Wings from being as highly televised as they were. And the Bettman thing is a no-brainer. Sean Avery is just good at running his mouth, and should be ignored.

[akustyk 84]

at times Avery is right but most certainly not this time. like him or not but Iginla is well recognized

and admired for his unique skills. he's a model all-around hockey player and I'd love to see NHL

being more over him than that Pittsburgh pansy who cries like a baby. at least you don't see

Iggy being **** when his team still has good chance of winning

as for Bettman... when this guy started average NHL team had player budget of maybe some $10M.

nowadays it averages around $50M and please don't tell me this is an accident. be it for Bettman

himself or for some smart people in league leadership but this is working in financial terms and it

wouldn't be if the game were not selling. Bettman is easy to dislike and is known to have little clue

about the game itself but he's led the league to good financial state and ensured its good prosperity

for now and for future.

that the game isn't perfect and many people see improvements? OK, but it's not just us, passionate

fans. there's not enough of us to support our beloved players sufficiently. there's more about NHL

product than just our tastes. NHL hockey it still is great enough to follow

[Hank 0]

He's right. With the exception of Iginla's crybaby antics at the end of tough losses, hes a pretty classy guy. Speaks well of others, doesn't cause controversy, etc.

Newsflash. Folks don't care about that. Its boring. People want controversy. They want dirt. They want trash talking. As much as a I hate to say it, it would be good for coverage of the sport. I mean...is it any coincidence that the only guy getting coverage outside of the hockey world is Sean Avery?

Exactly! I like Iginla but he's like 99% of the hockey players out there - he's classy and doesn't invoke drama.

That's why I love NHL players.

Unfortunately, Avery's right in that people today need Heroes and Villains. Without Terrel Owens or Michael Vick, Tom Brady and Peyten Manning don't look as good. It's those stark contrasts that make for great drama and pub. off the field.

And people LOVE to hate a'holes in sports. It's just another reason why the NFL is so popular. If it's not Sunday or Monday night you can still catch NFL action by tuning into "Crime TV".

This is kind of on the same topic, but if the NHL really were smart, it would focus on a different kind of drama.

They talk about European expansion but what they need to do, is split the league in half and put a cap on foreign talent in either conference.

So put 20 teams in North America and 20 teams in Europe (10 in Central Europe and 10 in former Soviet countries).

Then you cap the rosters to 5 total foreign players. So in North America you can have up to 5 players outside of North American soil, and vice versa.

Then when the two sides meet for the Stanley Cup, you'll have plenty of drama as it'll go back to US vs Them. It's the whole reason that the 1980 US Olympic team victory and the '72 Summit Series was so intriging.

I know I'm in the very small minority in this thinking. But I really believe this would elevate professional hockey to a whole new level.

EDIT: P.S. Regarding Iginla's fame, he's only famous in very small circles. Working in Detroit, I have quite a few co-workers who don't follow sports.

The one day I asked one of them if he knew who Tom Brady, Alex Rodriguez and Kobe Bryant were. He knew all of them and what sport they played (but couldn't remember what teams they played on). I asked him if he knew who Joe Thornton, Vinnie Lecavailer, Jerome Iginla and Sidney Crosby were. He had only heard of Crosby.

Edited October 9, 2008 by Hank

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

As Hank said above, it is players like Thornton, Lecavailer, Iginla, Luongo, Kiprussoff, Datsyuk that need to be marketed more rather than all Crosby, all the time. No wonder the guy had only heard of Crosby when he's the only player the NHL markets regularly.