Looks like the National Hockey League just wants to finish itself off once and for all. It’s bad enough that the league had given up broadcasting on the Worldwide Leader for the virtual anonymity of Versus. But now their new network wants to bring back a bad idea that will certainly have hockey hotheads blowing up all over again:
The glow puck!
AWFUL ANNOUNCING slapshoots news from USA TODAY that Versus & the NHL are thinking of re-introducing “puck-tracking technology” for next season. Apparently they’re not aware of how well the idea was received last time: Read more…
ESPN’s HASHMARKS points out an interesting stat about this weekend’s Pro Bowl: About 20% of the original choices aren’t going.
17 selected all-stars - including the likes of Tom Brady & Brett Favre - decided not to fly out to Hawaii. Most have bowed out claiming injury, but it’s more likely that a lot of players are ho-hum about the Honolulu trip.
NFL commish Roger Goodell has been working to inject some life into a game that’s become an afterthought to both fans & players. Suggestions have included rotating the game among other cities, or moving up the game to the weekend before the Super Bowl.
Read more…
NHL WILL TAKE THE VERSUS DEAL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH: While the NHL has fallen off the map for most people outside the Original Six cities, financially the league has never been healthier, thanks to a salary cap that probably saved 60% of the teams.
So even while teams like Detroit and Colorado fail to fill seats, the bottom line has never been fatter for the league.
How else can you explain the new 757 ultra-luxuy jetliner that is transporting the Dallas Stars across the fruited plain? Estimated cost of non-custom 757 in 2002: $65,000,000.The DALLAS MORNING NEWS (via HAWG SPORTS) points out that the plane can accomodate “71 total passengers, including 24 fully-reclining, 360-degree swiveling sleeper seats for the players, and has 47 other first-class seats located in three other sections throughout the plane.”
Also included:
• upgraded video entertainment system
• iPod docking station at each seat
• two electrical outlets and phone jacks at each seat
• a bar in the back
• four-seat couch
So while we all have a pity party over the Versus deal, the Southwest Airlines of sports leagues proves they ain’t exactly making peanuts.
