NHL: Where Did All These Fans Come From?

For years now, the NHL has been fighting to get their ratings higher than their typical poor performances. Not only was this Stanley Cup Final one of the most exciting in league history, the ratings for the final were the highest since the 1970's.

Since the 1970's! Do I have that right? Unfortunately for the NHL, I do.

Think about this: who do we see on America's sports commercials and magazine articles? Derek  Jeter? Tom Brady? Shaqenstein?

Rarely, if ever, do you see an NHL player being advertised. So you ask yourself, why? Why doesn't the NHL take more steps towards advertising their league through their most standout players?

What does the NHL need to do? Get the word out and brag about their league more. All it takes is one more commercial, one more article in Sports Illustrated. Oh, and one more thing: get your games back on ESPN!

Not taking anything away from Versus, but ESPN is usually the first channel men turn on when they sit down to watch TV.

The steps seem quite simple, but why doesn't the NHL follow them? If you can't advertise your league, you shouldn't be in charge of advertising. And if the commissioner doesn't realize this, then he should be relieved of his duties.

 An underdog team winning the Cup is the best thing to happen to the NHL in years. Let this be a lesson to the "men in charge." You do have fans out there, so reach out to them like the NFL, MLB, and NBA does.

Have pride in your fans, and they'll have pride in you.

HL