The Czech Republic Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 RIP NHL's casual fan base here in the States. Good luck guys because NASCAR, Golf and Tennis have climbed up ahead of you NASCAR, and Golf were already more popular sports. NASCAR arguably since 1979. Golf since 1997. 1979? I'm not too sure about that. I don't think NASCAR had widespread national appeal that early. Hockey outdrew the NBA in the 70s and 80s in some towns. Maybe you're right. I do still wonder if the NHL should of ever been grouped with the other 3 in the United States? Again, yes, because until Stern started really marketing the NBA heavily, NHL teams outdrew the NBA teams they shared arenas with. Sorry that it doesn't end in ball.
EVIL~! alkeiper Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 According to this site, the NHL's attendance hasn't dropped at all, and in fact reached its highest level ever last year. Interesting.
Guest sek69 Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 Dale Earnhardt was a household name in the 80s, I don't think there was a household name in the US for hockey until Gretzky got traded to LA. And for all this talk about hockey being dead, whenever they start back up again things will be pretty much like they were before and no one will remember the lockout after a year or two.
2GOLD Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 The NHL owners are so stupid they will probably raise ticket prices by 10-25% next season to make up for the lack of a season. And what is the deal on the NHL tv contract? Was it ever finalized?
Brush with Greatness Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 According to this site, the NHL's attendance hasn't dropped at all, and in fact reached its highest level ever last year. Interesting. Actually, it you take a look at the year, that is for 02-03. The NHL average attendance last season was 16, 532. This however was bolstered by the Heritage Classic, making the average attendance closer to 16, 515. Now that may not seem like a lot from 02-03's attendance of 16, 591 but it actually means 187,000 less fans took in NHL games last year. However, you were right about one part, it is interesting. Also interesting, Boston and Chicago, two hockey cities and original six franchises, were 22nd and 27th respectively in attendance last season. On top of that, Carolina, Chicago, New York Islanders and Rangers, Washington, Montreal, St. Louis, San Jose, Columbus, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Nashville all suffered declines in attendance last season. The only reason that Phoenix is not on this list is because they got a shot in the arm with a new arena. As for Nashville, since joining the leauge in '98, their average attendance has gone from 17, 281 to 13, 177. Healthy the game is not.
MrRant Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 No matter if Boston and Chicago are original six or not, if there is a shitty product on the ice then people won't pay to watch it.
Red Baron Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 Sad thing is, Montreal doesn't need to sell out every game and still be one of the top teams for attendance.
EVIL~! alkeiper Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 As for Nashville, since joining the leauge in '98, their average attendance has gone from 17, 281 to 13, 177. That's not unusual. Expansion teams in all sports see a bump in attendance, and then a decline. The Rockies, Devil Rays, Marlins, and Diamondbacks all drew their biggest crowds in their debut seasons.
kkktookmybabyaway Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 Good to see two die-hard, passionate hockey fans like kkk and MJ23 dropping the hockey knowledge. Too bad you broke my sarcasm meter with that last comment. No wonder you're one of the most least-liked posters here. And just for the record I love hockey, especially when they kick the ball into the net...
nl5xsk1 Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 Dale Earnhardt was a household name in the 80s, I don't think there was a household name in the US for hockey until Gretzky got traded to LA. You're high if you think that people in places like Boston, Chicago, LA or most other Northern cities knew who Dale Earnhart was. If you'd said Richard Petty, then MAYBE I'd have agreed ... but, no, not Earnhart. NASCAR just wasn't covered in most Northern cities until the very late 80s, if not later than that. And to say that Bobby Orr was lesser known than Dale Earnhart is a farce. Also interesting, Boston and Chicago, two hockey cities and original six franchises, were 22nd and 27th respectively in attendance last season. And also have two of the fan bases most angry with the local owners. If Jacobs had done more in the Bourque era, the B's would still be doing well. And Chicago supports the Wolves (AHL) like it's going out of style, so it's not shocking that the 'hawks, with their cocksucker of an owner, would get minimal support. Too bad you broke my sarcasm meter with that last comment. No wonder you're one of the most least-liked posters here. Sorry about the sarcasm meter ... send me the bill, and I'll pay you back. And, kkk, we both know that the reasons that I'm one of the least-liked posters here are too many to count. /too many quotes, eh?
kkktookmybabyaway Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 /too many quotes, eh? Not at all Mike...
nl5xsk1 Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 Ooooh, kkk, that's a low-blow. Does this mean I have to start threads with vague, ambiguous titles now? /hopes not
kkktookmybabyaway Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 Keep this on topic or else the Facist Sports Mod will bring the pain. I find it funny that it seemed there was more action in terms of management and the players' union in the last two weeks than there had been in the last six months...
Lightning Flik Posted February 21, 2005 Report Posted February 21, 2005 Its called PR-Boost. Whoever puts on the best impression is thinking they'll win some. Just neither side at this point realizes that they ain't gonna get any PR-Boost out of this.
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