Kudos to NBC for doing the right thing. In the midst of declining cable ratings, NBC aired for the third consecutive year the NHL's Winter Classic. What makes this event so captivating is the fact it's not in a hockey rink, but outside in a venerable baseball stadium. Boston's Fenway Park was this year's host, and as luck would have it the home team beat Philadelphia. Even baseball purists had to be proud.
Not only did the game go to overtime, and the 2010 U.S. Olympic Hockey team was announced, but the NHL donated $10,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Boston. Truly a feel-good story to start the new year. Now if only ESPN could buy back the broadcasting rights to NHL games.
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Totally agree with you. The NHL scored huge on this idea. A game outside in different venues every year. I personally believe that Gary Bettman and the NHL need to do whatever it takes to get back on ESPN. Even if it means not making any money back from ESPN.
ReplyDeleteI played hockey for a long time and covered it for longer. This was one of the most exciting televised sporting event that I have seen in a long long time. The players were obviously amped up for it and that translated to a great game that was well executed (too many high angle airplane shots, but hell...).
ReplyDeleteNot a Bettman fan at all but this is a winner.
He allowed NHLPA strike during a period when the NBA was driving away middle class fans because the league got too thuggy and NHL missed the opportunity to step into the void.
Pittsburgh should bid for an outdoor game in Heinz Field!!