Sports Business Digest » Hockey http://sportsbusinessdigest.com Wed, 23 May 2012 18:51:37 +0000 en hourly 1 The Winter Classic Returns http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2012/05/the-winter-classic-returns/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-winter-classic-returns http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2012/05/the-winter-classic-returns/#comments Thu, 03 May 2012 19:25:13 +0000 Travis_Schluter http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=5259 2013wcbighouse

Tuesday afternoon NHL COO John Collins confirmed “HBO 24/7: Road To The NHL Winter Classic” will return during the 2012-13 hockey season, featuring Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. "We're bringing it back," Collins told Puck Daddy exclusively on Tuesday, although he said a formal announcement is forthcoming." There will be two significant changes this season that will include a more involved behind the scenes effort from HBO. "We're going to work a little more closely with HBO on production. We've been in partnership with them, but now that we have an original productions group here, we're going to work a little more closely with them on the production side," said Collins. Viewers will see no change in production, and The Winter Classic will have the same look and feel as it has the last two seasons. Ross Greenburg, former HBO sports President is now working with the NHL through his own production company. He will be teaming back up with his HBO counterparts to hopefully create the best production of The Winter Classic that we have seen thus far. The HBO production team hopes to learn valuable information from Greenburg, who is one of the best at what he does. "We've made a significant investment in content on our side. We have our own production crews in-house, and we're going to integrate those crews with the NHL crews and get some practical hands-on experience," said Collins. The second change this season will be the addition of a Canadian network presenting “24/7”.  With Toronto competing this year, the Canadian networks are showing an increase attention which they have not expressed in years past. "We're going to have another partner to announce, who will take the series in Canada," Collins said. "I think this is one of the benefits of having Toronto in the game.” At this time there is no word on which Canadian network will pick up the action.]]> 2013wcbighouse

Tuesday afternoon NHL COO John Collins confirmed “HBO 24/7: Road To The NHL Winter Classic” will return during the 2012-13 hockey season, featuring Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. "We're bringing it back," Collins told Puck Daddy exclusively on Tuesday, although he said a formal announcement is forthcoming." There will be two significant changes this season that will include a more involved behind the scenes effort from HBO. "We're going to work a little more closely with HBO on production. We've been in partnership with them, but now that we have an original productions group here, we're going to work a little more closely with them on the production side," said Collins. Viewers will see no change in production, and The Winter Classic will have the same look and feel as it has the last two seasons. Ross Greenburg, former HBO sports President is now working with the NHL through his own production company. He will be teaming back up with his HBO counterparts to hopefully create the best production of The Winter Classic that we have seen thus far. The HBO production team hopes to learn valuable information from Greenburg, who is one of the best at what he does. "We've made a significant investment in content on our side. We have our own production crews in-house, and we're going to integrate those crews with the NHL crews and get some practical hands-on experience," said Collins. The second change this season will be the addition of a Canadian network presenting “24/7”.  With Toronto competing this year, the Canadian networks are showing an increase attention which they have not expressed in years past. "We're going to have another partner to announce, who will take the series in Canada," Collins said. "I think this is one of the benefits of having Toronto in the game.” At this time there is no word on which Canadian network will pick up the action.]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2012/05/the-winter-classic-returns/feed/ 0 NHLPA refuses consent, delaying NHL realignment http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2012/01/nhlpa-refuses-consent-delaying-nhl-realignment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nhlpa-refuses-consent-delaying-nhl-realignment http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2012/01/nhlpa-refuses-consent-delaying-nhl-realignment/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:11:03 +0000 Emmett Jones http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=5016 Read More]]> For anyone looking to see a modified playoff format in the NHL, you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer.

The league’s plans for realignment and a revamped playoff format, which was approved by the NHL Board of Governors for the 2012-2013 NHL season, will not move forward because the NHLPA refused to consent to the changes.

“It is unfortunate that the NHLPA has unreasonably refused to approve a Plan that an overwhelming majority of our Clubs voted to support, and that has received such widespread support from our fans and other members of the hockey community, including Players,” said NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. “We have now spent the better part of four weeks attempting to satisfy the NHLPA’s purported concerns with the Plan with no success. Because we have already been forced to delay, and as a result are already late in beginning the process of preparing next season’s schedule, we have no choice but to abandon our intention to implement the Realignment Plan and modified Playoff Format for next season.” (via NHL)

The league is currently looking into their available legal options and will pursue any claim they feel has merit.  Meanwhile, the NHL will maintain both its current alignment and its current playoff format going forward — until changes dictate otherwise.

 

]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2012/01/nhlpa-refuses-consent-delaying-nhl-realignment/feed/ 0 Vineyard Vines signs licensing deal with NHL http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/12/vineyard-vines-signs-licensing-deal-with-nhl/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vineyard-vines-signs-licensing-deal-with-nhl http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/12/vineyard-vines-signs-licensing-deal-with-nhl/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:57:25 +0000 Emmett Jones http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=4982 Whimsical neck ties and the NHL…a match made in heaven.

The NHL has signed a licensing deal with Shep and Ian Murray, the co-founders of Vineyard Vines. Based out of Martha’s Vineyard, Vineyard Vines is best known for creating non-traditional neckties that break away from traditional corporate America.

Under the agreement with the NHL the company will focus on creating and distributing a line of ties, tote bags, and belts for men and women.

“We’ve had an incredible response from our existing team products and are thrilled about our new licensing arrangement with the NHL,” said Lindsey Worster, Vice President of Brand Communications. “This launch came at the perfect time with hockey in full swing and the holiday gift giving season upon us. Now our customers and NHL fans can bring their team spirit with them wherever they go.” (via Press Release)

Products from all 30 NHL teams plus various vintage teams (including the Hartford Whalers) will be sold on the company’s Vineyard Vines website, the various vineyard vines retail stores, the NHL’s website, and the NHL’s flagship store in New York City.

“The NHL is proud to be associated with a brand that is renowned for its product excellence,” said Jim Haskins, NHL Group VP of Consumer Products. “The NHL vineyard vines tie collection will present expertly crafted workmanship in neckwear with a fun fashion approach that our fans are going to love.”

For those looking for NHL branded vineyard vines-wear, the beginnings of what should be an expanding NHL collection can already be found on the company’s site.

]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/12/vineyard-vines-signs-licensing-deal-with-nhl/feed/ 0 Delaware bankruptcy court approves Tom Gaglardi as new Dallas Stars owner http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/11/delaware-bankruptcy-court-approves-tom-gaglardi-as-new-dallas-stars-owner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=delaware-bankruptcy-court-approves-tom-gaglardi-as-new-dallas-stars-owner http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/11/delaware-bankruptcy-court-approves-tom-gaglardi-as-new-dallas-stars-owner/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:06:04 +0000 Emmett Jones http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=4849 The Dallas Stars officially have a new owner.

A Delaware bankruptcy court approved the sale of the team to Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi and confirmed the Stars’ chapter 11 bankruptcy plan at the end of last week.

The NHL’s board of directors have previously approved the sale of the team.

The Stars had been without an owner since 2009, when the Hicks Sports Group defaulted on numerous business loans, causing the company to lose their majority interest in the Dallas Stars, the American Airlines Arena, and Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.

The club has been run by the National Hockey League until Friday’s approved sale to Gaglardi.

Gaglardi is stepping into a less than perfect situation with the Stars; they are expected to lose $31 million dollars this season.

Late on Friday the Stars also begin to put their leadership structure back into place, as the team rehired Jim Lites as the president and CEO of the team.

 

]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/11/delaware-bankruptcy-court-approves-tom-gaglardi-as-new-dallas-stars-owner/feed/ 0 In Pittsburgh — the NHL Draft will bring in $9.1 million in economic impact http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/11/in-pittsburgh-the-nhl-draft-will-bring-in-9-1-million-in-economic-impact/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-pittsburgh-the-nhl-draft-will-bring-in-9-1-million-in-economic-impact http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/11/in-pittsburgh-the-nhl-draft-will-bring-in-9-1-million-in-economic-impact/#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:39:01 +0000 Emmett Jones http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=4731 The city of Pittsburgh is not only having a good run as far as sports teams go, the city is getting yet another much needed cash-infusion.

As expected, last week, the National Hockey League announced that the 2012 NHL draft would be held in Pittsburgh, in June of next year.

The two-day draft is expected to bring in roughly $9 million dollars in direct spending to the city and surrounding areas according to Visit Pittsburgh, the city’s tourism board.

“It is a hockey convention. You’re going to see here future star players, broadcasters, general managers, scouts,” Penguins General Manager Ray Shero said. “It’s also a great day for the fans” (via Pittsburgh Business Times)

Last year’s NHL Winter Classic, also held in Pittsburgh, brought in somewhere between $15 and $22 million in spending for the region.

“I know we’ll have a great event next June,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, in Pittsburgh with Penguins top executives and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, for the announcement.

The City of Pittsburgh has also enjoyed an unexpected economic boon thanks to the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, with last year’s two home playoff games bringing in another $45 million to Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.

]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/11/in-pittsburgh-the-nhl-draft-will-bring-in-9-1-million-in-economic-impact/feed/ 0 NHLPA announces new competition committee members http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/06/nhlpa-announces-new-competition-committee-members/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nhlpa-announces-new-competition-committee-members http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/06/nhlpa-announces-new-competition-committee-members/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 04:38:20 +0000 Emmett Jones http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=4385

The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today that two new members will be representing the Players as members of the Competition Committee. Following their recent selection by the NHLPA's Executive Board, Mike Cammalleri (Montreal Canadiens) and Chris Campoli (Chicago Blackhawks) will join current members David Backes (St. Louis Blues), Chris Clark (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres) on the Competition Committee. Cammalleri and Campoli replace Mike Commodore and Mathieu Schneider as voting members of the Committee. Schneider will remain on the Committee as the NHLPA's non-voting member. The full NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee will meet on Monday, June 13th at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Boylston room on the first floor. Please note that media availability will be held at the conclusion of the meetings. The listed time is an approximate end time.]]>

The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today that two new members will be representing the Players as members of the Competition Committee. Following their recent selection by the NHLPA's Executive Board, Mike Cammalleri (Montreal Canadiens) and Chris Campoli (Chicago Blackhawks) will join current members David Backes (St. Louis Blues), Chris Clark (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres) on the Competition Committee. Cammalleri and Campoli replace Mike Commodore and Mathieu Schneider as voting members of the Committee. Schneider will remain on the Committee as the NHLPA's non-voting member. The full NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee will meet on Monday, June 13th at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Boylston room on the first floor. Please note that media availability will be held at the conclusion of the meetings. The listed time is an approximate end time.]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/06/nhlpa-announces-new-competition-committee-members/feed/ 0 Pittsburgh Penguins: King of NHL TV ratings. http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/04/pittsburgh-penguins-king-of-nhl-tv-ratings/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pittsburgh-penguins-king-of-nhl-tv-ratings http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/04/pittsburgh-penguins-king-of-nhl-tv-ratings/#comments Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:50:41 +0000 Emmett Jones http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=4134

On the ice? Four times as nice. For the fourth consecutive season, the Pittsburgh Penguins ranked 1st in the NHL's local TV ratings, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times. The Penguins averaged an 8.68 rating on FSN Pittsburgh up until April 1st, when FSN Pittsburgh changed its name to ROOT Sports, due to the network being bought out by DirecTV. According to PBT, the Penguins also attract the NHL's largest average TV audience with over 101,000 homes tuning in to watch each broadcast. Pittsburgh is the NHL 22nd largest market. Chicago, Boston, Detroit, and Philadelphia rounded out the top five largest local TV audiences. Pittsburgh...the new hockey town? Maybe. The Penguins also ranked 7th in attendance, averaging 19,457 in the new Consol Energy Center. Consol holds 18,000 for hockey games, putting the Penguins at 107% capacity during this past season's home games. That was the highest capacity percentage in the NHL, beating out the Chicago Blackhawks over capacity attendance by 3%. Whether or not Pittsburgh is the new "Hockey Town USA" is certainly a point to be debated, but its incredible to note that the team was last in attendance and on the verge of bankruptcy in 2003, only to now be considered among the NHL elite just eight years later. As for teams not doing so well? The Florida Panthers ranked last in local television rating (0.16) and number of homes (3,000).]]>

On the ice? Four times as nice. For the fourth consecutive season, the Pittsburgh Penguins ranked 1st in the NHL's local TV ratings, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times. The Penguins averaged an 8.68 rating on FSN Pittsburgh up until April 1st, when FSN Pittsburgh changed its name to ROOT Sports, due to the network being bought out by DirecTV. According to PBT, the Penguins also attract the NHL's largest average TV audience with over 101,000 homes tuning in to watch each broadcast. Pittsburgh is the NHL 22nd largest market. Chicago, Boston, Detroit, and Philadelphia rounded out the top five largest local TV audiences. Pittsburgh...the new hockey town? Maybe. The Penguins also ranked 7th in attendance, averaging 19,457 in the new Consol Energy Center. Consol holds 18,000 for hockey games, putting the Penguins at 107% capacity during this past season's home games. That was the highest capacity percentage in the NHL, beating out the Chicago Blackhawks over capacity attendance by 3%. Whether or not Pittsburgh is the new "Hockey Town USA" is certainly a point to be debated, but its incredible to note that the team was last in attendance and on the verge of bankruptcy in 2003, only to now be considered among the NHL elite just eight years later. As for teams not doing so well? The Florida Panthers ranked last in local television rating (0.16) and number of homes (3,000).]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/04/pittsburgh-penguins-king-of-nhl-tv-ratings/feed/ 0 Anaheim Ducks select TxtStation as their mobile marketing partner http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/03/anaheim-ducks-select-txtstation-as-their-mobile-marketing-partner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=anaheim-ducks-select-txtstation-as-their-mobile-marketing-partner http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/03/anaheim-ducks-select-txtstation-as-their-mobile-marketing-partner/#comments Thu, 03 Mar 2011 22:23:47 +0000 Emmett Jones http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=3973

The Anaheim Ducks have chosen Txtstation Mobile Marketing during this season as their mobile marketing partner. TxtStation provides various promotions for Ducks fans including real-time text voting, text-to-screen, picture-to-screen, text-to-win, text alerts and in-stadium video board games. More on the features TxtStation is offering to Ducks fans, [quotes]Txtstation is using its proprietary technology to produce real-time, interactive HD graphics for home games enabling fans to interact with the team and Honda Center via their mobile phones. For example, fans can text DUX1, DUX2 or DUX3 to guess their answer to the "Guess that Duck?" texting game and/or email a picture to ducks@txtstation.com for a chance to see their picture appear on the big screen. In response to participation, the Ducks and Honda Center are encouraging participants to join their text clubs. Ducks fans can receive score updates, ticket offers and more by sending the keyword DUCKS to 55333 to sign up. Honda Center attendees can also receive offers relating to Honda Center events by sending the keyword EVENTS to 55333.[/quotes] Adam Mendelsohn, Senior Media & Marketing Manager for the Ducks on the deal, [quotes]"We chose Txtstation because they have a fully integrated 360-degree platform and an extensive library of HD graphics that allow us to have a direct dialogue with our fans."[/quotes] Recent months have seen Txtstation dive head first into the world of mobile marketing, having signed deals with the Golf Channel, the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, and the NFL's Miami Dolphins.]]>

The Anaheim Ducks have chosen Txtstation Mobile Marketing during this season as their mobile marketing partner. TxtStation provides various promotions for Ducks fans including real-time text voting, text-to-screen, picture-to-screen, text-to-win, text alerts and in-stadium video board games. More on the features TxtStation is offering to Ducks fans, [quotes]Txtstation is using its proprietary technology to produce real-time, interactive HD graphics for home games enabling fans to interact with the team and Honda Center via their mobile phones. For example, fans can text DUX1, DUX2 or DUX3 to guess their answer to the "Guess that Duck?" texting game and/or email a picture to ducks@txtstation.com for a chance to see their picture appear on the big screen. In response to participation, the Ducks and Honda Center are encouraging participants to join their text clubs. Ducks fans can receive score updates, ticket offers and more by sending the keyword DUCKS to 55333 to sign up. Honda Center attendees can also receive offers relating to Honda Center events by sending the keyword EVENTS to 55333.[/quotes] Adam Mendelsohn, Senior Media & Marketing Manager for the Ducks on the deal, [quotes]"We chose Txtstation because they have a fully integrated 360-degree platform and an extensive library of HD graphics that allow us to have a direct dialogue with our fans."[/quotes] Recent months have seen Txtstation dive head first into the world of mobile marketing, having signed deals with the Golf Channel, the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, and the NFL's Miami Dolphins.]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2011/03/anaheim-ducks-select-txtstation-as-their-mobile-marketing-partner/feed/ 0 Meet your new Phoenix Coyotes owner…Matthew Hulsizer http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2010/10/meet-your-new-phoenix-coyotes-owner-matthew-hulsizer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meet-your-new-phoenix-coyotes-owner-matthew-hulsizer http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2010/10/meet-your-new-phoenix-coyotes-owner-matthew-hulsizer/#comments Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:30:28 +0000 admin http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=3414

The Phoenix Coyotes may have a new owner.  Chicago executive Matthew Hulsizer has a tentative deal in place to buy the Coyotes from their current owner...the National Hockey League.  Hulsizer has plans to keep the team in the city of Glendale, and have them continue to play at the Jobing.com Arena.  For those who have forgotten, the NHL bought the team out of bankruptcy last September, with the intention of selling it to a buyer who would keep it in Glendale. Early reports are estimating that Hulsizer will pay the NHL nearly $165 million for the embattled team.  The NHL paid $140 million to buy the Coyotes out of bankruptcy. NHL owners will need to sign off on the deal before its finalized, although Glendale representatives and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly are already reporting that a sale of the team is in place. Hundreds of Phoenix Coyotes fans are filled with excitement. The team saw the biggest drop in attendance amongst all NHL teams last year, finishing with an average attendance of roughly 12,000 a game (67% capacity).  Also, prior to the bankruptcy filing and the NHL's purchase, the team was losing nearly $40 million a year -- in part due to poor business decisions and a bad American West Arena lease. Regardless, the NHL seemed doggedly determined to keep the team in Arizona, even turning down Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie's offer to pay upwards of $210 million to buy the team and move them to Canada. Now, it looks as though Hulsizer will give the NHL exactly what they wanted.  Whether Hulsizer can help change the culture in Glendale still remains to be seen.]]>

The Phoenix Coyotes may have a new owner.  Chicago executive Matthew Hulsizer has a tentative deal in place to buy the Coyotes from their current owner...the National Hockey League.  Hulsizer has plans to keep the team in the city of Glendale, and have them continue to play at the Jobing.com Arena.  For those who have forgotten, the NHL bought the team out of bankruptcy last September, with the intention of selling it to a buyer who would keep it in Glendale. Early reports are estimating that Hulsizer will pay the NHL nearly $165 million for the embattled team.  The NHL paid $140 million to buy the Coyotes out of bankruptcy. NHL owners will need to sign off on the deal before its finalized, although Glendale representatives and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly are already reporting that a sale of the team is in place. Hundreds of Phoenix Coyotes fans are filled with excitement. The team saw the biggest drop in attendance amongst all NHL teams last year, finishing with an average attendance of roughly 12,000 a game (67% capacity).  Also, prior to the bankruptcy filing and the NHL's purchase, the team was losing nearly $40 million a year -- in part due to poor business decisions and a bad American West Arena lease. Regardless, the NHL seemed doggedly determined to keep the team in Arizona, even turning down Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie's offer to pay upwards of $210 million to buy the team and move them to Canada. Now, it looks as though Hulsizer will give the NHL exactly what they wanted.  Whether Hulsizer can help change the culture in Glendale still remains to be seen.]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2010/10/meet-your-new-phoenix-coyotes-owner-matthew-hulsizer/feed/ 0 The NHL Gets A Reality Show http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2010/09/the-nhl-gets-a-reality-show/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-nhl-gets-a-reality-show http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2010/09/the-nhl-gets-a-reality-show/#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:41:15 +0000 admin http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/?p=3223

HBO and the National Hockey League join forces to create "24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the Winter Classic."  The four-episode reality series will follow the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals as they prepare for their meeting at the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.  The TV cameras will get behind-the-scenes access to how these teams prepare for the big game, and no doubt a large focus of the series will be on the Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby rivalry. The HBO Series ‘24/7’ started with boxing as its primary focus and would follow high-profile boxers such as Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather as they geared up for a big fight, and recently ‘24/7’ was expanded to include Nascar as well.  Adding the best hockey rivalry (maybe the best modern day rivalry in sports), to the television show seems like a perfect match for the Emmy Award-winning television series.  Combine this rivalry with the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, and it’s a success in the making. To those uninformed, the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic is the outdoor hockey game played on New Year’s Day.  It started in 2008 but is quickly developing into a sports/holiday tradition, similar to the NFL Games played on Thanksgiving.  It is one of the NHL’s most watched regular season games, and may some day pass viewership for the Stanley Cup as well.
“Taking our reality series ‘24/7’ into the world of the National Hockey League is a perfect fit,” said Ross Greenberg, president of HBO Sports. “The ‘24/7’ franchise is fashioned on larger-than-life personalities, engaging storylines, and unrestricted access. With Sidney Crosby leading the Penguins and Alex Ovechkin leading the Capitals, we have all the ingredients for a dynamic show that will take viewers deep inside professional hockey and set the stage for the Winter Classic.”
It’s a great time to be a hockey fan.]]>

HBO and the National Hockey League join forces to create "24/7 Penguins/Capitals: Road to the Winter Classic."  The four-episode reality series will follow the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals as they prepare for their meeting at the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.  The TV cameras will get behind-the-scenes access to how these teams prepare for the big game, and no doubt a large focus of the series will be on the Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby rivalry. The HBO Series ‘24/7’ started with boxing as its primary focus and would follow high-profile boxers such as Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather as they geared up for a big fight, and recently ‘24/7’ was expanded to include Nascar as well.  Adding the best hockey rivalry (maybe the best modern day rivalry in sports), to the television show seems like a perfect match for the Emmy Award-winning television series.  Combine this rivalry with the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, and it’s a success in the making. To those uninformed, the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic is the outdoor hockey game played on New Year’s Day.  It started in 2008 but is quickly developing into a sports/holiday tradition, similar to the NFL Games played on Thanksgiving.  It is one of the NHL’s most watched regular season games, and may some day pass viewership for the Stanley Cup as well.
“Taking our reality series ‘24/7’ into the world of the National Hockey League is a perfect fit,” said Ross Greenberg, president of HBO Sports. “The ‘24/7’ franchise is fashioned on larger-than-life personalities, engaging storylines, and unrestricted access. With Sidney Crosby leading the Penguins and Alex Ovechkin leading the Capitals, we have all the ingredients for a dynamic show that will take viewers deep inside professional hockey and set the stage for the Winter Classic.”
It’s a great time to be a hockey fan.]]> http://sportsbusinessdigest.com/2010/09/the-nhl-gets-a-reality-show/feed/ 0