That's not true though, is it?

Phelps vs Shark drew 4.78 million viewers
http://tvbythenumbers.zap...ble-ratings-july-23-2017/

The last two Hawks series both had over 8 million viewers in one of their games, plus averaged 5.5 and 5.7 million for the series.

http://nbcsportsgrouppres...d-most-watched-on-record/
https://sportstvratings.c...-6-overnight-rating/2787/

There are several playoff games a year that get around $4.5+ million viewers. Even the most boring final ever (2012 Kings v Devils) had their game 6 reach 4.9 million.

https://en.wikipedia.org/...NHL_on_NBC#2014-15_season
- L_B_R

It's true.

Shark > 2017 cup final.

And in an increasingly diverse North American continent (including the US, Canada, and Mexico), hockey has remained a mainly White sport not only in the league but in the fan base.

The owners must figure out how to tap into the "minority" market not only to put more "color" into the league, but to have more Blacks, Hispanics, Asians spend money on the sport - like they do for basketball and football.
- StLBravesFan

True. But there is still huge growth potential among whites too.

People (children, adults, women, men) playing hockey on the amateur level in the USA has grown nearly 20% in the last 10 years. So that indicates more people are getting into hockey. Hockey will always be the most expensive major sport to play, so that limits the growth among the less affluent.

Sure, but when? Bettman is not likely to give up the reins anytime soon.
- hpk90

Going to take owners to boot him (bettman) out and have to think that will come soon....

Players with any personality are immediately ostracized and if you look at the abuse that players like Kane, Crosby, McDavid take outside the rules of the game that slow them down and cause them to miss games due to injury they do it to themselves.

Go back to enforcing the rules regarding clutching and grabbing and let the superstars be superstars and have personality. Game gets faster, you get some action on the side other than the normal hockey platitudes in interviews and all of a sudden the sport is growing.

It wouldn't be that hard.
- fattybeef

They tried that post lockout, when each game, each team would have 8-10 PPs. That worked for a short term.

Point is, NHL has zero clue how to market their sport, their players, to any outside the hockey niche bubble.

Maybe it was sour grapes for ESPN, but very rarely would they show hockey highlights on sportscenter.

See what happens.

anyone have a YOU TUBE link for this fight? manson/stevens
- glennjpawlak22

Type in St Patrick's Day Massacre in the you tube search bar and it will come right up

Going to take owners to boot him (bettman) out and have to think that will come soon....
- SteveRain

If the league continues to see minimal cap growth (or cap reduction) and a requirement for the players to use the cap escalator I wouldn't be surprised to see Bettman get the boot. Over the past 12 months the Canadian dollar has risen nicely, as long as this doesn't change there should be no excuses if there isn't a healthy cap increase next year.

The NHL use to be comparable to the NBA in popularity but ever since espn got rid of them they just don't get the coverage. I don't agree with some that there is more obstruction in the game it's not that bad and I like a player to fight through a little contact to get to the front of the net or to get and jeep puck possession. It's nothing like back in the 90s where it was horrible. The refs of todays game are just really bad and inconsistent. Anytime there is a big hit they hand out misconducts like candy and the linesman constantly breaking up fights no wonder why fans don't like the product the last couple of years.
They need to market the game right with scoring, hitting, fighting, rivalries and bring character back to the game. And most importantly get on ESPN or FOX Sports.

Apparently, MLS has turned down a 10-year $4 billion offer from MP & Silva apparently because the international media rights distribution company wanted the league to join world soccer in instituting a promotion and relegation scheme with (I guess) the NASL.

Not sure what that has to do with the hockey league, but just an interesting aside....Without that offer, MLS TV ratings are way down and apparently Fox, Univision and ESPN are very concerned.

It is very possible the the new media climate will not generate the ever-increasing rights fees that leagues have enjoyed in the past - and that (as you say) NHL owners should be very worried.
- StLBravesFan

The MLS is still pretty driven by gate sales as well. They aren't as tied into the TV money as Baseball or Football

Type in St Patrick's Day Massacre in the you tube search bar and it will come right up
- jhawk159

There are a lot of classic brawls from the Blackhawks and there minor league affiliates Rockford and the Admirals. I remember one with the Admirals vs. the Hurricanes affiliate during the lockout. A lot of big hawks names in that brawl. Here's there roster stats for the year look at those penalty minutes I miss hockey being like that.
http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ons/teams/0023882005.html
the boxscore
http://stats.pointstreak....xscore.html?gameid=139575

Type in St Patrick's Day Massacre in the you tube search bar and it will come right up
- jhawk159

Short version:

https://youtu.be/ZY4q4S0_AlE

Short version:

https://youtu.be/ZY4q4S0_AlE
- walleyeb1

The video after - Stu Grimson Goes nuts is a classic

It's true.

Shark > 2017 cup final.
- SteveRain

First, you said "out drew ANY game of the NHL Stanley Cup Final." If you meant 2017, you should specify. Second, it's still not true.

Phelps vs Shark drew 4.78 million while the 2017 final had 3 games get more than that. The average for the whole series was just under, but you said any game, not average so.

Game 1 - 4.9 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...third-best-game-one-1999/

Game 4 - 5.7 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...dience-stanley-cup-final/

Game 6 - 7.0 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...-viewership-game-six-nbc/

First, you said "out drew ANY game of the NHL Stanley Cup Final." If you meant 2017, you should specify. Second, it's still not true.

Phelps vs Shark drew 4.78 million while the 2017 final had 3 games get more than that. The average for the whole series was just under, but you said any game, not average so.

Game 1 - 4.9 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...third-best-game-one-1999/

Game 4 - 5.7 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...dience-stanley-cup-final/

Game 6 - 7.0 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...-viewership-game-six-nbc/
- L_B_R

His point is on target - NHL needs to kick the marketing up...

First, you said "out drew ANY game of the NHL Stanley Cup Final." If you meant 2017, you should specify. Second, it's still not true.

Phelps vs Shark drew 4.78 million while the 2017 final had 3 games get more than that. The average for the whole series was just under, but you said any game, not average so.

Game 1 - 4.9 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...third-best-game-one-1999/

Game 4 - 5.7 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...dience-stanley-cup-final/

Game 6 - 7.0 million viewers

http://www.sportsmediawat...-viewership-game-six-nbc/
- L_B_R

Not to mention the whole Discovery "Phelps Vs. Shark: The Battle for Ocean Supremacy" was an unmitigated disaster for the Discovery Channel, that pissed off all those viewers.

I am not saying that Bettman is a marketing genius, but NHL revenueshave nearly doubled in the last ten years.
- -Doh-

I would argue the growth happened because you had original six teams - big markets - win the cup four times since 2010. Hawks three times and Boston once. Add Detroit in 2008 for five in last ten years.

Feed the big markets and you see real growth.

Not to mention the whole Discovery "Phelps Vs. Shark: The Battle for Ocean Supremacy" was an unmitigated disaster for the Discovery Channel, that pissed off all those viewers.
- walleyeb1

Also it was a HUMAN VS A SHARK in a swim battle. That's like asking if a shark can outrun an average human on land. I'm sad 4+ million people wanted to see that.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed Mark Streit to a one-year contract worth $700K. The deal also contains $300K of performance bonuses, making it a potential $1MM total.

The Montreal Canadiens have signed Mark Streit to a one-year contract worth $700K. The deal also contains $300K of performance bonuses, making it a potential $1MM total.
- walleyeb1

He can actually still move the puck well and keep a cycle going. Not stellar in his own end though.

His point is on target - NHL needs to kick the marketing up...
- riozzo

Maybe, but people should also strive to use facts when making a point imo. It was pretty easy to just say "wow, a Shark vs Phelps drew similar ratings to a NHL playoff series and that shouldn't happen" vs stating something that's not true.

Also it was a HUMAN VS A SHARK in a swim battle. That's like asking if a shark can outrun an average human on land. I'm sad 4+ million people wanted to see that.
- JRoenick97

It would never work again either because of how mad people were about it - they tuned in stupidly on the off chance there was a real shark and it was all disappointment after that. It was a one-hit wonder show that is a weird basis to start complaining, albeit rightfully, about the NHL's lack of good marketing or whatever.

Maybe, but people should also strive to use facts when making a point imo. It was pretty easy to just say "wow, a Shark vs Phelps drew similar ratings to a NHL playoff series and that shouldn't happen" vs stating something that's not true.
- L_B_R

Come on, 4.2 vs 4.7 or what ever it was....

Come on, 4.2 vs 4.7 or what ever it was....
- riozzo

There's a pretty big difference in being similarly rated vs beating out EVERY FINAL EVER!

It would never work again either because of how mad people were about it - they tuned in stupidly on the off chance there was a real shark and it was all disappointment after that. It was a one-hit wonder show that is a weird basis to start complaining, albeit rightfully, about the NHL's lack of good marketing or whatever.
- L_B_R

I was just complaining about the show itself. It should have never been made. I didn't even watch it because it looked terrible.

The whole Phelps/Shark thing is just a one time gimmick that drew interest because of how bizarre it is. It isn't comparable to an sports league like the NHL who has their product on the ice for 8/9 months of the year annually. Have Phelps swim against sharks over and over and see how many people find it interesting after the first or second time...

I was just complaining about the show itself. It should have never been made. I didn't even watch it because it looked terrible.
- JRoenick97

I didn't watch it either, I wonder if it was better than Sharknado (parts 1 - 5)?