If you turn your TV on and tune into ESPN, you will hear one of their many personalities talking about the NFL, the NBA, and occasionally MLB. Why not the NHL?
Beginning in 2004, NBC became the exclusive carrier of the NHL’s national TV slate, showing between 3-4 games a week. In 2021, NBC’s deal ended. ESPN and TNT began to split the NHL’s national TV rights; however, ESPN still covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB significantly more than the NHL.
When ESPN and the NHL were not partners, ESPN’s lack of hockey coverage made sense. They did not want to advertise programming being shown by their competitors, but ESPN no longer has that excuse.
Part of the benefit of professional leagues showing games on national TV is to help grow the game, and this is not happening for hockey. Several sports fans at B-CC were asked simple questions about the NHL, and many struggled to answer. One of which, junior Ethan Snyder, who, aside from the Washington Capitals, was only able to name the “[Pittsburgh] Penguins, [New York] Rangers, [and New Jersey] Devils,” all of which are teams the Capitals play 4 times a season, and therefore are more well known in the DMV. Another casual fan was freshman Ben Chapman, who was able to name the “[Boston] Bruins, Penguins, [Edmonton] Oilers, [Toronto] Maple Leafs, [and Chicago] Blackhawks,” nearly all of which play outside of the Metropolitan Division, meaning they only play the Capitals 2-3 times per season. The rest of the sports fans interviewed were unable to name even one team.
This lack of “Puck Knowledge” is likely due to the lack of media coverage devoted to hockey. ESPN shows just as much hockey as they do the NFL; however, they choose to cover the NFL significantly more. A change is due. Sports fans are sick and tired of hearing about the Lakers, Yankees, and Cowboys 24/7. It is time to talk about the Oilers, Panthers, Capitals, and Golden Knights.
