And, kwing what an idiot Gary Bettman is, I just can’t wait until he has to start Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012 at 2:30 in the morning EST because of his television deal.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 05/29/09 at 07:28 AM ET

kwing, knowing… whatever.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 05/29/09 at 07:28 AM ET

@HockeyinHD: “global” not as in “world wide” but as in “mobile, net, telly”

Posted by dogfood on 05/29/09 at 07:43 AM ET

talk about running before you can walk.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/29/09 at 08:20 AM ET

“By 2013 the digital, web and mobile audience will be sufficiently larger so the NHL will be able to combine those users with their TV audience to attract sponsorships that will support a major TV deal. I see so many similarities to the NFL. They know how to lift their passion for a game to a level that is bigger than just their local team.”

This is actually really smart on their part. In fact, I think they’re overstating how long it will take to reach the tipping point on the desire for mobile and web access. The web access desire is now - which they have tapped in to - but mass adoption of mobile TV watching and web surfing is just around the corner.

And if they’re looking to the NFL for motivation to grow passionate fans, that’s nothing but a good thing.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 05/29/09 at 09:22 AM ET

Yes, I can just imagine all those fans in Texas hurrying to their Blackberry’s so they can catch up on their Stars news…

...you know, after doing that with the Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Spurs, UT football, high school football, football recruiting and Nascar first.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 05/29/09 at 09:52 AM ET

It’s not just about news. It’s about access to video, highlights, etc on a mobile device. You’re letting your hate of Bettman cloud the issue. It’s a sound business choice. Honestly, I"m still not sure if you understand what the global rights issue is about.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 05/29/09 at 02:05 PM ET

It’s not just about news. It’s about access to video, highlights, etc on a mobile device. You’re letting your hate of Bettman cloud the issue. It’s a sound business choice. Honestly, I"m still not sure if you understand what the global rights issue is about.

Heh, yeah… that must be it.

Shane, I’m not saying ‘global rights’ is a bad idea… I’m saying that it’s putting the cart before the horse.  Right now the NHL is struggling just to actually get people to go to the freaking games in quite a few cities. 

If people aren’t interested in going to the games in the first place… why would they want to watch highlights on a mobile device?

‘Yeah, I could have spent $25 on a Coyotes ticket but I don’t care enough to do so… but oh man, I just can’t wait to watch snippets about that franchise on my iPhone.’

Posted by HockeyinHD on 05/29/09 at 07:20 PM ET

Fair enough, but there’s still demand from fans for this type of access. So why not give the diehard fans what they want while also trying to make the struggling franchises successful?

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 05/30/09 at 12:18 PM ET

Aren’t there other things the NHL should be focusing on, though?

I mean… really?  Making sure the people who already like hockey can follow it on their cell phone is a front-burner project?

Being able to get information about the Atlanta Thrashers though 45 info-tech means as opposed to three or four isn’t particularly relevant when very few care about the Atlanta Thrashers in the first place.

All this ‘global rights’ business is, really, is another attempt by Bettman to soak the fans in areas who do care about the sport, artificially driving revenue while not addressing the basic struggles the league has with baseline fan interest.

This kind of stuff will work fine in the US cities with a strong hockey following, where there actually might be a portion of the fanbase which is underserved, but in 15-20 cities it’ll be next to pointless.

And lets be honest… exactly what kind of ‘information’ is going to be presented through the use of ‘global rights’?  If they are talking about streaming games online, good luck running that past a broadcasting partner.  If it’s access to press conferences and other general shill-sessions… pass.

Bettman needs to worry more about getting the NHL fixed and it’s teams in cities who give a crap and less about making sure the 2 million plus people in a big media market have the opportunity to sail right past everything the NHL offers with their iPhones so they can play Flight Control, or check on the NFL, NBA, College, MLB… team in their area.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 05/30/09 at 12:50 PM ET

I’m sure they are putting more focus in that area. But that doesn’t mean they can’t apply some focus to other areas. If they ignore this, then a couple years from now people will be complaining that they overlooked a big trend. Instead, they can be happy that their favorite league was an early adopter.

Posted by Shane from Saskatoon on 05/31/09 at 06:51 PM ET

Shane, my problem with this is that it’s a Bettman Special: something that tries to make the NHL more appealing without actually doing anything to make the NHL more appealing.  Slightly harsh, but this is mostly lipstick on a pig.

If people aren’t interested in the NHL, giving them 10 more avenues in which they can express their disinterest is counterintuitive.

Sure, it’s ‘fine’ that Bettman is looking at other info streams.  I’m sure it will generate additional revenue for the league, albeit likely far less than what they are hoping for considering the NHL currently bends over backwards to get half their Finals games televised by someone who essentially gets the league for free.

I just don’t like the way Bettman plans this stuff.  This is the same thought process that drove him into bigger media markets before he had the league’s financial system finalized.  Rush into new markets before the product is in a position to fully utilize the opportunity.  Rush into new info streams before the product is in a position to have those streams adequately employed.

Cart before the horse.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 05/31/09 at 08:45 PM ET