Bad News for Indycar TV exposure - Former ESPN President Cannot find Hockey

[SoCalPVguy]

Comment: If the former ESPN president who brought NHL hockey to cable TV cannot find hockey any where (FYI - It's on Versus just like Indycar), how the hell is any average viewer ever going to find Indcar themsleves (other than the 20 or so fanatics on this board ) ?????????????

Also he says that the NHL made a bid mistake getting away from ESPN - just as Indycar has made the same big msistake getting away from ESPN/ABC I.M.H.O.

Los Angeles Times article:

ESPN founder wonders where hockey went


'I can't tell you where to find hockey right now. It's sad,' says Bill Rasmussen, who founded the sports network with his son 30 years ago this month.

By Mike Penner
September 15, 2009

As ESPN celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, the man who founded the network asks a question too familiar with stateside NHL fans: What happened to my hockey?

In an interview with Canada's Globe and Mail, Bill Rasmussen, who founded ESPN with his son Scott in 1979, said, "I used to watch all the hockey with John Buccigross and Barry Melrose on ESPN. I can't tell you where to find hockey right now. It's sad.


Editorial comment: Dear Mr. Rasmussen, it's on Versus. /// SoCal



"I can't help but think [the NHL] is missing something in walking away from [ESPN]. Look what ESPN does for Major League Baseball on 'Baseball Tonight' -- wall-to-wall, full-season coverage of the entire season and playoffs.

The NHL had that ancillary programming on ESPN and just walked away from it. I just don't understand."




Editorial comment: Dear Mr. Rasmussen, me neither. /// SoCal

[Chamoo]

It would be perfect if the IRL could swing some sort of Versus on NBC deal or something like that.

[harvick#1]

someone needs to tell ESPN not to be a Baseball, Football, and Basketball network then, I watch Sportcenter and even during hockey season, hockey gets no love on the show that reviews all the sports, they worry more about baseball offseason, then the hockey season, ESPN can F-off as they screwed the NHL and the IRL for giving us crap commentators who are amateurs at best, and giving us the apprentice TV crews. No wonder the NHL left, though the lock-out didn't help. but once the NFL goes on lockout in 2011, they will be destroyed as well

[chuck34]

I'm sure that he has no agenda to disparage another network. Particularly one that took a sport from his network. Even though he is no longer the Pres., I'm sure he would still like to see his baby thrive. Make no mistake, he knows EXACTLY where to find hockey.

[garyshell]

ESPN founder wonders where hockey went


'I can't tell you where to find hockey right now. It's sad,' says Bill Rasmussen, who founded the sports network with his son 30 years ago this month.

By Mike Penner
September 15, 2009

As ESPN celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, the man who founded the network asks a question too familiar with stateside NHL fans: What happened to my hockey?

In an interview with Canada's Globe and Mail, Bill Rasmussen, who founded ESPN with his son Scott in 1979, said, "I used to watch all the hockey with John Buccigross and Barry Melrose on ESPN. I can't tell you where to find hockey right now. It's sad.

What is sad is that this was a self serving piece of crapola coming from the company that dissed the NHL at every turn. As if he couldn't find it if he wanted to, what a steaming pile of BS.

Gary

[NickFalzone]

What is sad is that this was a self serving piece of crapola coming from the company that dissed the NHL at every turn. As if he couldn't find it if he wanted to, what a steaming pile of BS.

Gary

Haha, exactly what I was thinking. Granted I would like to see the IRL on ESPN just because it has more viewers. But ESPN has no reason to complain when all they care about is their ball sports and even have that crap intrude on their NASCAR telecasts. If I wanted to watch baseball I'd change the channel, no reason to stink up the race with those "breaking" updates.

[SoCalPVguy]

someone needs to tell ESPN not to be a Baseball, Football, and Basketball network then, I watch Sportcenter and even during hockey season, hockey gets no love on the show that reviews all the sports, they worry more about baseball offseason, then the hockey season

Well now, it becomes the "which came first, the chicken or the egg" question doesn't it ?

Which came first, ESPN emphasizing baseball, football and basketball to the exclusion of hockey....

or could it be.......

That once hockey dumped ESPN and went on Versus it became so hard to find, lost so many viewers, and became so "irrelevant" that ESPN had no reason to spend another minute on it ????


Indycar racing had better hope that it's the first reason and they're not headed for a fate like the second.

[bblocker68]

Hockey had been replaced by Soccer on ESPN. Not sure about IndyCar. What would the equivalent be in their eyes, Pro LaCrosse?

[SoCalPVguy]

I don't think it was so much hockey going on Versus as it was the year long strike/lockout which took that sport completely off the map. Much like the 13 year open wheel split - anyone else see a similarity?

My point exactly - Indycar needs to do whatever thay can to prevent them from becoming the next 'hockey'.

One thing that has to happen is get out of the versus deal whatever way possible as its household count is SHRINKING not growing.

[nigelred5]

Hockey had been replaced by Soccer on ESPN. Not sure about IndyCar. What would the equivalent be in their eyes, Pro LaCrosse?
That wouldn't be so bad IMHO. It's not like the IRL and CART races weren't pre-empted by Hopkins or Maryland lacrosse games or the Orioles on the ABC affiliate here anyway. I was glad when CART was on speed.


The more I think about the past couple of years, the moreI start to think the CCWS guys were the smart ones to just call it quits. They cut and ran and KK at least got some cash out of TG. All that the George family is going to be left with is an empty bank account and a flaming pile of cr@....

[PA Rick]

I think ESPN is going for real sports like Texas Holdem and Pool.

[-Helix-]

Wow the former President of ESPN says hockey made a bad move leaving... wait for it... ESPN? No way! Wow my mind is blown.

Well as a hockey fan that probably actually knows the rules of the game unlike this character, I enjoy the NHL's coverage on Versus immensely more than the crap we got on ESPN.

[-Helix-]

That wouldn't be so bad IMHO. It's not like the IRL and CART races weren't pre-empted by Hopkins or Maryland lacrosse games or the Orioles on the ABC affiliate here anyway. I was glad when CART was on speed.


The more I think about the past couple of years, the moreI start to think the CCWS guys were the smart ones to just call it quits. They cut and ran and KK at least got some cash out of TG. All that the George family is going to be left with is an empty bank account and a flaming pile of cr@....

Sign of the times, I guess. the American economy probably can't support a high level open wheel series anymore. It'll always be compared to F1 and will therefore never live up to expectations. America is NASCAR country now because NASCAR is more affordable and marketable. That's how it works in this country.

[FIAT1]

He don't have a problem to find 4 people playing cards program hmm.

[Mark in Oshawa]

AS someone who has grown up on Hockey, and has watched Hockey on ESPN when I am in the US, and later on VS, here is where I think I can add something.

First off, the reason hockey left ESPN is because they drove the ratings off by dumping the product onto ESPN2 when it was not in as many homes. They drove the ratings down, and then went to the NHL and wanted the product for free. Gee...this sounds like what they did to the IRL in a sense doesn't it?

The NHL should have taken the free offer tho, because once they were no longer on ESPN, they got NO time on Sportscenter unless some goon hit someone in the head with his stick. The IRL/CCWS war didn't help at all (as I pointed out repeatedely and was told I was naive by many who are not on this board to take my abuse) just like the lockout did the NHL in, but it does NOT mitigate the fact ESPN treats every sport outside of the very mainstream as something they only can define and treat like crap. NFL, MLB, NBA and NASCAR don't get this, but if ESPN decided they didn't like NASCAR or MLB, I could see them playing games with their programming as well. Unless you get big or growing ratings from right from the start, ESPN doesn't need you......or wants you at a VERY cheap price.

Not sure the IRL on VS is a great plan, but at least they give us a decent product to watch and there is a respect for us fans. The only problem is, the IRL needs eyeballs....not sure what to do now...