‘Twas a brutal Saturday morning on the Worldwide Leader’s radio arm, as co-hosts Dave Shore and Jenn Engel recited a littany of “takes” on the current sporting events of the day that made Russ Salzberg seem like a Rhodes scholar by comparison.
Shore, noting the lower-than-low TV ratings for the Stanley Cup Finals, suggested that Gary Bettman (above), “surround himself with people smarter than himself.” To wit, “the guy that invented the X-Games…the person behind the World Poker Tour….the Spelling Bee.”
“And what do all of the above have in common?” asked co-host Engel. “They’ve all been associated with ESPN. Gary Bettman needs to kiss and make up with ESPN. Admit he was wrong. ESPN would really know how to grow the sport.”
Never mind the logistics of Bettman breaking his league’s contract with Versus ; is there anything lamer than ESPN’s radio mouthpieces acting as blatant shills for the network, particularly when they’re urging rights acquisitions their bosses surely want no part of?
Later in the broadcast, Engel hailed the tough love approach of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, claiming football’s personal conduct policy stood in stark contrast to MLB’s foibles with the Mitchell investigation.
“Roger Goodell is a strong commissioner,” gushed Engel. “Baseball…has this lame, fake commissioner, and that’s the real difference.”
Never mind that baseball’s fake commish has presided over an era of unprecedented commercial prosperity. A radio host with with half a brain might well have added that another difference between the two sports is that baseball players are represented by one of one of the strongest, most successful unions in American labor. Conversely, there’s no shortage of voices around football that would characterize the NFLPA’s Gene Upshaw as lame, fake or worse.
Right now, there is no marketing or hype for hockey. Why would the casual fan tune in when he doesn’t even know that the Stanley Cup finals are on TV? If you had hockey on ESPN, you would have complete coverage on sportscenter rather than 2 minutes a week with Barry Melrose. In addition, hockey coverage would include actual gameplay rather than just coverage of a fight or a cheap shot.
That’s why I have no problem with what he said. The fact is, Gary Bettman had an offer from ESPN to remain with the company, but instead chose the NBC/Versus deal because it paid a slightly larger amount to the NHL. In taking a few extra million dollars then, the league has lost countless millions more.
well, there is marketing for hockey. Just not very effective marketing.
I’ve not argued the point the NHL’s deal with Versus has been a disaster for the league. However, Game 3 was shown in prime time on that obscure network known as NBC. You can moan all you want about poor decisions on the part of the league but there’s all sorts of other reasons why the ratings are so modest. Aside from an Ottawa/Anaheim final, there’s also the theory many casual fans gave up on the league during the lockout and learned they could easily live without it.
My problem with Ms. Engel’s remarks wasn’t that I thought there’s much positive about the Versus deal. It has more to do with ESPN radio hosts declaring their own network to be the be all and end of sports coverage. Would Engel have the same thing to say if she was employed by Fox?
It is terribly simplistic to recommend Bettman go back to the Worldwide Leader on bended knee. Not unless you can tell the listeners a) under what terms the NHL can get out of the Versus/NBC deal or b) confirm whether or not ESPN has any interest in showing pro hockey in the near future.
Bettman has ruined the NHL and things will only get worse if he stays as commissioner…
http://www.FireBettman.com