Jim Boone Via NHLFA

[high_stick69 7]

An interesting read...

Below is a recent blog written by Jim Boone for The Hockey News. The blog can also be found at http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/2845...-better-TV.html

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

I agree completely.

NHL will never sell themselves on multiple markets until they can succeed on ONE. They've tried to skip a step and maximize profit (watching what the NFL has done w/ multiple stations), while losing out on potential sales.

It's why the owners love Bettman. He's maximized profit during his stay, but has done so at the expense of fans ($$).

I think the fact that the last two years the NHL has sold more tickets to games than the NBA speaks to this exact issue. The NHL be outselling NBA and no one is watching it? B.S.

However, I think Bettman is on the way out. I honestly feel that he's over extended himself during this debacle with Phoenix, and has done so largely for NHL marketing. This isn't the major legal issue it's trumped up to be.

Edited October 12, 2009 by CaliWingsNut

[b.shanafan14 733]

I read this yesterday, very interesting, if not blatantly obvious. Just finally a tangible representation of what everyone has known for years: Bettman must go and the NHL needs a TSN/CBC equivalent coverage-wise in the states. You know even if they do get on ESPN again in the states, they are never going to throw more than 30 second game recaps and 2 minutes of Barry Melrose a day if its the Cup Finals.

[StevieY9802 6]

Bettman needs to go. That's #1 priority right there. But I don't see it happening because it would make too much sense.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Bettman needs to go. That's #1 priority right there. But I don't see it happening because it would make too much sense.

Haven't the Yotes lost 30 million a year for 3 consecutive years? Maybe my numbers are wrong but I swear that's what I heard.

Also, haven't the Yotes lost money every single season they've been in the league?

Yet Bettman, in his infinite wisdom is doing everything he can to keep the team in the States, even if it means that it will only continue to lose money. This whole thing with Balsille has nothing to do with Jimbo and everything to do with Gary not wanting a team to go back to Canada.

He's a low-down, sneaky, conniving, little Napolean wannabe.

I've hated him since day one.

And the minute he decided it'd be good idea to remove the home team logo from pucks and pluck his stupid name on them, it became crystal clear that he's an egocentric little s*** that's consistently up to no good.

He only remains because he suckles the teet of a group of owners that wield God-like powers. Never forget that this guy has and always will be nothing more than a bean counter. He's not and never has been a hockey guy. He was hired to make the owners money. And by and large he's done that. And that's our problem. So long as the owners coffers are being stuffed, Gary won't be going anywhere.

In the immortal words of Heath Ledger's Joker........Bettman is a "schemer".

[MadMan Mark 0]

IMO, the only way Bettman saves his ass is with a "real" TV deal. If you're going to cater to VS and NBC, why not just sign up with the obvious choice. . . NHL Network! Is it just me or shouldn't that be where broadcasting in the US begins. I am envious of our neighbors to the North, they have TSN, TSN2, CBC. We get VS (not any more since I am on DirecTV) NBC and Pierre McGuire (with kneepads on for Crosby and Malkin). Pull the plug on VS, get a deal done with NHL Network allowing CBC broadcasts. Hell, they could have alternate channels of NHL Network to cover multiple marquee games on any given night.

What the hell am I doing. . . this makes sense, therefore the midget won't even approach the idea.

Thank God for Center Ice and online streaming!