Report: ESPN won't do hockey next season

[NYYFAN]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2005-05-27-espn-nhl-report_x.htm

TORONTO (SportsTicker) — The hits just keep on coming for the NHL. According to a report on Rogers Sportsnet of Canada's Web site Friday, ESPN has declined to exercise its $60 million option to televise league games next season.
With the 2004-05 season canceled as a result of the lack of a collective bargaining agreement and ongoing labor meetings producing little progress toward resolving the dispute in time to resume play in the fall, ESPN may be seeking to work out a new deal at a much cheaper rate, according to the report.

[Big_E]

This would mean something if I was confident that there would BE hockey this winter...

[Boogiedown Bomber]

Not surprising. Not surprised at all.

[yeahimweird]

I thought they were giving them until June 1st.

:confused:

Sadly, I'm not surprised, though. Their hockey coverage stinks, anyway.

[BroadwayBomber55]

I'm not surprised by this.

[ruthianblast]

As long as the seasons are cancelled long enough to make everyone realize how little the players actually mean in everyone's life. I wonder if any plans have been drawn up disbanding the NHL and creating a new one? Anyone know if that would be legal? What about team names and things of that nature, do the copyrights expire if the original league no longer exists?

[nyymt62]

This is quite the hit to the NHL. Now they only have a small amount of games on NBC. And NBC is not going to do the fairly extensive playoff coverage that ESPN offered. I am starting to give up hope and realize that the NHL is now over. If they do come back, it will probably be for a short time. Attendance will be dismal, ratings will be even worse, the teams are going to be so much different than the last time the NHL played. It is a shame, but with the league in such shambles, I would not be suprised if we saw our last NHL game when Tampa Bay beat Calgary last June.

[ALR83]

This would mean something if I was confident that there would BE hockey this winter...

There WILL be hockey in October. Believe!

Anyway, I'm not crying over it lol. ESPN sucks, not like they showed a ton of games anyway. I'm glad ABC doesn't have the games anymore either.

[wexy]

As long as the seasons are cancelled long enough to make everyone realize how little the players actually mean in everyone's life. I wonder if any plans have been drawn up disbanding the NHL and creating a new one? Anyone know if that would be legal? What about team names and things of that nature, do the copyrights expire if the original league no longer exists?

There was talk of a new World Hockey Association. Hockey is DEAD and I liked hockey.

[Dooley Womack]

WTF is hockey anyway?

[BroadwayBomber55]

There was talk of a new World Hockey Association. Hockey is DEAD and I liked hockey.

The Hockey I only watch now is college hockey and the frozen four. The NHL is dead on its feet.

[Coney36]

The NHL still exists?

[Boogiedown Bomber]

For any of you who still care:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpdDcyMnNwBF9TAzk1ODYxODgzBHNlYwN0bQ--?slug=dw-nhl052705&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[YankeePride1967]

in today's NY Post, Larry Brooks said that sources told him that they have made substantial progress in talks and that unless something happens, a new CBA could be in place by the end of June.

[yeahimweird]

in today's NY Post, Larry Brooks said that sources told him that they have made substantial progress in talks and that unless something happens, a new CBA could be in place by the end of June.

I'm a little apprehensive about it, but I really hope he's right.

[dabomb2045]

I certainly cant blame ESPN from a business point of view for dumping the NHL.....the NHL draws flies for ESPN...they get higher ratings showing the National Spelling Bee, Worlds Strongest Man, WS of Poker, National High School Cheerleading Competitions etc


its sad...but its true

[nyymt62]

in today's NY Post, Larry Brooks said that sources told him that they have made substantial progress in talks and that unless something happens, a new CBA could be in place by the end of June.

If the players are locked out come training camp, then they are all fools and I never want to see the NHL again. There is no reason for talks to take this long. If they really wanted to, they could of had a deal done a couple of weeks into this lockout. The two sides should be meeting everyday and not the once in a while meetings like they are now. This whole thing is ridiculous and I really hope Larry Brooks is right, I am sick of not seeing any hockey on TV or at the Coliseum.

[yeahimweird]

I know this is a thread about the NHL, but I think this will impress some people. The CHL just held the Memorial Cup (their version of the Stanley Cup) and it ended today. The London Knights of the OHL won it all, in very impressive fashion.

The Knights played 90 games this season. This was their record for the '04-'05 season:

79-9-2

That is just pure dominance right there. :eek:

[jimmyclark]

I feel sorry for the vendors and others who made their living off the NHL games. But does anyone really miss hockey? Do you hear anyone call into radio stations lamenting it? Does any columnist write about the emptiness of no NHL hockey? I haven't seen a sport so little missed since the NASL went out of business. They were plenty of complaints in October 1994 when there was no world since for the first time in 90 years.

[Jersey Yankee]

So if there's no NHL season in 2005-06, how much--if any at all--will ESPN pay the league?

[Donnybaseball72]

Screw ESPN, just get us CBC as an option on our cable or form a new network specifically for Hockey. I'll probably get the center ice package when the NHL resumes.

[BoSox37]

ESPN will have the NHL when they start back up again, no doubt in my mind. They declined the option because they know that once there is a CBA, they will be able to negotiate a deal for much, much less than the $60 million it would have cost them if they had picked up the option.

[blue_monkey2]

my passion for the nhl died in april of 1997 when the HARTFORD WHALERS went to carolina. I find it interesting ever since teams from northern hockey cities like Winnipeg, Quebec, and Hartford have moved to the south the nhl has never been the same. Coincidence??? - i think not!!

[Hitman23]

:(

Can I have my Rangers back please? I'll take the overpaid, underachieving piece of crap I had before. I won't complain anymore, I promise! :(

[26 and counting]

my passion for the nhl died in april of 1997 when the HARTFORD WHALERS went to carolina. I find it interesting ever since teams from northern hockey cities like Winnipeg, Quebec, and Hartford have moved to the south the nhl has never been the same. Coincidence??? - i think not!!

I agree with you 110%. Bring Back The Whale!!!

Quebec moving to Denver was not bad though, as more people probably like the Avalanche than the Nuggets and Rockies combined. One of the teams, such as Nashville or Atlanta, should move to Quebec. I loved that Montreal/Quebec rivalry.

[lem]

Thank god, no Barry Melrose.

[Hitman23]

Quebec moving to Denver was not bad though, as more people probably like the Avalanche than the Nuggets and Rockies combined.well I can't blame them. Considering how good the Avs have been since they went there. they have one of the most exciting rivalries in sports (w/Detroit) and they have a guy named Roy in net. If I wasn't a Rangers fan, I'd root for the Avs.

[JWHIII]

I wonder if david aebischer will fill the seats as patrick roy always did

[26 and counting]

NHL reportedly agrees to salary cap

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2080348

TORONTO -- The NHL and the NHL Players' Association have agreed on a salary-cap system, eliminating the biggest stumbling block to the resumption of play next season, the Toronto Globe and Mail reported on its Web site Wednesday.

The paper reported that a source close to the owners, and another close to both owners and players, said there would be a team-by-team salary cap, based on a percentage of the revenue of each franchise.

In what is believed to be a six-year agreement, based on revenue projections by both sides, the salary cap will range from $34 million to $36 million, with the floor from $22 million to $24 million.

The league has previously demanded that the cap be 54 percent of a team's revenue.

However, this does not mean that an overall deal on the lockout is imminent. Negotiators for the players and owners are now working on other issues such as salary arbitration and free agency, according to GlobeandMail.com.

[BroadwayBomber55]

I wonder if david aebischer will fill the seats as patrick roy always did

Not really. The Avs will miss Patrick Roy.

[BroadwayBomber55]

NHL reportedly agrees to salary cap

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2080348

Still, the NHL need to fix their image problems in order for them to get back on the map. They have a lot of problems to fix.

[BambinosRing]

Possibly the last stake in the future of pro hockey being the #4 sport. I, for one, welcome our new soccer overlords.

[JWHIII]

If the new salry cap is agreed upon at the reported $36 million, what will teams like Detroit and Philly do with their payrolls that are substantially higher than that figure. The way this all shakes out will be intersting to watch, there could be a great number of high profile guys out on the market.

[Hitman23]

basketball fixed their problems without a work stoppage.

maybe the NHL players and owners could stop being children.

eff them all. broadcast the AHL.

[BoSox37]

If the new salry cap is agreed upon at the reported $36 million, what will teams like Detroit and Philly do with their payrolls that are substantially higher than that figure. The way this all shakes out will be intersting to watch, there could be a great number of high profile guys out on the market.


Teams over the cap will have to buy out players. Once this CBA is signed, the weeks and months following it are going to be crazy. As a Bruins fan, I can't wait!

[nyymt62]

Teams over the cap will have to buy out players. Once this CBA is signed, the weeks and months following it are going to be crazy. As a Bruins fan, I can't wait!

Yes, it is going to be crazy. I would imagine that a good 50% of the players are going to change teams. Also, I don't think that the players contracts are going to have to be bought out. I think that some of the things being discussed are a salary rollback for all players. Or the contracts that were signed before the new CBA will be grandfathered or only a percentage of the contracts will be held against the cap. I seriously doubt owners would be interested in buying out contracts, they would definitely lose some serious money if they did. But the first thing is they have to sign a CBA. If they don't, they are all fools.

[MvpPosada20]

Thank god, no Barry Melrose.
haha qft
but id rather have hockey with melrose than no hockey at all :mad:

[BoSox37]

Yes, it is going to be crazy. I would imagine that a good 50% of the players are going to change teams. Also, I don't think that the players contracts are going to have to be bought out. I think that some of the things being discussed are a salary rollback for all players. Or the contracts that were signed before the new CBA will be grandfathered or only a percentage of the contracts will be held against the cap. I seriously doubt owners would be interested in buying out contracts, they would definitely lose some serious money if they did. But the first thing is they have to sign a CBA. If they don't, they are all fools.


There will be a %24 rollback across the board, which will help some teams. I.e., a player who is supposed to make 4 million will be making slightly over 3. No contracts will be grandfathered in. Even though they did not play in 2004-05, a year will come off everyone's contract.Many teams are over the cap, and will have to buyout players. There will be a brief period after the CBA is signed where bought out contracts will not count against the cap. There is a catch. If a team buys out a players contract, they can not re-sign that player. There will be a hard cap around $36 million, and a soft cap at $32. Every dollar between $32-$36 will be taxed 1 for 1. There will be a floor (minimum) at $22 million. There will also be a limit on what rookies can make, I think it will be around $1.8.

[JWHIII]

If 2004-2005 does count as a contract year, wouldn't that leave teams such as the Bruins, who employed a policy not to sign anyone beyond the end of the CBA, with a virtually empty roster? If so, Causeway St. could look a lot different when they start playing hockey again.

[Big_E]

If 2004-2005 does count as a contract year, wouldn't that leave teams such as the Bruins, who employed a policy not to sign anyone beyond the end of the CBA, with a virtually empty roster? If so, Causeway St. could look a lot different when they start playing hockey again.


Yes...I've heard that the Islanders, for example, have only 8 players signed for 2005-06.

[BoSox37]

If 2004-2005 does count as a contract year, wouldn't that leave teams such as the Bruins, who employed a policy not to sign anyone beyond the end of the CBA, with a virtually empty roster? If so, Causeway St. could look a lot different when they start playing hockey again.

The B's have 6 guys signed, and more cap room than anyone else in the league. Over the past few years, when the B's have been reluctant to sign the one big name FA needed to put them over the top, ownership/management has always said that they were waiting for the new CBA and that they would be in a perfect position when it all went down. I thought they were just making excuses, but I was wrong. They could not have been more right. MOC has stated that the team is extatic about the way the CBA is going down, and he also said that the club will be spending right up to the hard cap of $36 mil. The Bruins have a chance to build something really good over the next few months. This summer is going to be absolutely wild.

[JWHIII]

The B's have 6 guys signed, and more cap room than anyone else in the league. Over the past few years, when the B's have been reluctant to sign the one big name FA needed to put them over the top, ownership/management has always said that they were waiting for the new CBA and that they would be in a perfect position when it all went down. I thought they were just making excuses, but I was wrong. They could not have been more right. MOC has stated that the team is extatic about the way the CBA is going down, and he also said that the club will be spending right up to the hard cap of $36 mil. The Bruins have a chance to build something really good over the next few months. This summer is going to be absolutely wild.
The Bruins should also be able to plug in alot of young guys from Providence. Brad Boyes should be able to step in, as well as tough guy Colton Orr. Doug Doull could throw down with the best of 'em, but the thought of someone named Orr pummeling opponenets is too much to pass up on. Who are the six guys they have under contract?

[BoSox37]

The Bruins should also be able to plug in alot of young guys from Providence. Brad Boyes should be able to step in, as well as tough guy Colton Orr. Doug Doull could throw down with the best of 'em, but the thought of someone named Orr pummeling opponenets is too much to pass up on. Who are the six guys they have under contract?

I could be wrong but I think it is Bergeron, Boynton, Girard, Hilbert, Sammy, and I think I am drawing a blank on the last one. There are also guys that are RFA that don't yet have contracts, but will definitely be back with the team (Big Joe, Raycroft, etc). Boyes will almost certainly be on the team, not so sure about Orr, though.

[JWHIII]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2095862
It's good to see Jeremy Roenick doing his part to win back fans. I enjoy it when players speak their minds rather than give the company line, but this is just poor judgement.

[yankeesAZ]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2095862
It's good to see Jeremy Roenick doing his part to win back fans. I enjoy it when players speak their minds rather than give the company line, but this is just poor judgement.

That speech may not go over well in Philly. Perhaps he hasn't been paying attention to the T.O. saga there. The fans don't take well to any complaints about salaries (even if it is valid).

[JWHIII]

That speech may not go over well in Philly. Perhaps he hasn't been paying attention to the T.O. saga there. The fans don't take well to any complaints about salaries (even if it is valid).
I also imagine Philly fans, like most people, don't take well to being told to kiss someone's ass

[Tal Hawkins]

So, let me get this straight...Roenick is chastising fans for having an opinion of the lockout and their actions?? Wow...:clap:...way to go, Jeremy...awesome job trying to win back the fans by telling us how stupid we are and breaking your arm patting yourself on the back at the same time. :barf:

The NHL will be lucky to win back 1/3 of the fans they had before with guys like this as the mouthpiece of the players.

[26 and counting]

Sorry to say it, Jeremy, but the NHL is done. It doesn't matter what you do to make the sport more fun to watch., because nobody cares anyway. I haven't heard once person complain about the lockout. My parents, who were once avid NHL fans, told me that they would rather watch college hockey now anyway.

[yankeesAZ]

I also imagine Philly fans, like most people, don't take well to being told to kiss someone's ass

As a Flyer's fan-no! JR can kiss my a$$! The only beer Philly fans may be throwing on someone in the penalty box is at him.

[nyymt62]

His comments are a joke. To say that the players are not greedy is ridiculous. That is what the whole lockout boiled down to greed. The only people who were not greedy were the fans. And now he is telling us not to have come back if we have a bad opinion of the players. For a sport and a union with such a bad public persona, I don't think there is anything worse he could have said. JR has got to realize he is a hockey player, not a football or baseball player.

[yeahimweird]

JR was on SportsCenter at 6:00 today, and basically said his comments were taken out of context.

Telling the fans to "kiss my ass" is not a good way to bring fans to the games, jackass. How do you take this out of context anyway?

[yankeesAZ]

JR was on SportsCenter at 6:00 today, and basically said his comments were taken out of context.

Telling the fans to "kiss my ass" is not a good way to bring fans to the games, jackass. How do you take this out of context anyway?

Someone must have been heckling him on the golfcourse that day and he went off.

[26 and counting]

I never thought I would say this, but take the NHL and burn it to the ground. I can't take this anymore. How are they going to start the next season on time anyway? It's already July. There's no indication that there will be an imminent settlement on the CBA. It's time to start a new league from scratch.

[SuperMario66]

I actually didn't get to upset at JR. I understand what he was saying. It is going to be hard for me to got back into hockey full force, but I do enjoy it enough that I will watch again.

[Hitman23]

My parents, who were once avid NHL fans, told me that they would rather watch college hockey now anyway.if they'd only televise it. :( I'm willing to watch anything. The AHL would be just fine with me.

What a tool JR is. I can't believe he would come out and say that now.

[SuperMario66]

I was really surprised Dan Patrick didn't back down. I think HE is a bit of a tool and was really shocked he stood up to JR.

[Boogiedown Bomber]

Jeremy Roenick has always been a jackass. I am not surprised by his latest comments, and considering that he plays in Philly (if they will ever get to play again), I will be surprised if he's given any love by the fans there.

[nyymt62]

Another thing that has shown up with the lockout is the ego of the players. They have this crazy notion that people can't live without hockey. They really believe that people can't live without the NHL and we are all going to flock back to the arena to see the games. Give me college hockey any day of the week. They are not afraid to play the game it was meant to be played, compared to the NHL where the trap is a teams best friend.

[Donnybaseball72]

They can't live without it in Canada so 6 teams will be at 75% capacity when they resume; Boston, Detroit, NYC area, Philly, Colorado will be at 50% and the rest of the league will be lucky to draw 1,000 a night. Nice work Roeprick.

[SuperMario66]

I loathe the trap.

[AustinTXHorn]

Now that ESPN has dropped hockey...I'm wondering if they will keep showing college baseball regularly. I really enjoyed that. It's a sport that needs more attention.

Of course...they could always just show more spelling bees and such...

[nyymt62]

Now that ESPN has dropped hockey...I'm wondering if they will keep showing college baseball regularly. I really enjoyed that. It's a sport that needs more attention.

Of course...they could always just show more spelling bees and such...

I think ESPN would get much higher ratings if they went with the college sports over the pro sports. I am talking more specifically about hockey and basketball. I would rather watch a college basketball game because the players actually care whether they win or lose. And college hockey is a much more wide open style. College baseball doesn't really compare to the Majors at all. College football is great but it isn't the NFL. But all in all, College sports are much more exciting than the pros.

[lem]

Now that ESPN has dropped hockey...I'm wondering if they will keep showing college baseball regularly. I really enjoyed that. It's a sport that needs more attention.

Of course...they could always just show more spelling bees and such...

The two don't really coincide well. Instead of hockey this winter we'll be getting more quality ESPN programming such as "Stump the Schwab" and "Bowling Night". Yippee.

[lem]

I think ESPN would get much higher ratings if they went with the college sports over the pro sports. I am talking more specifically about hockey and basketball. I would rather watch a college basketball game because the players actually care whether they win or lose. And college hockey is a much more wide open style. College baseball doesn't really compare to the Majors at all. College football is great but it isn't the NFL. But all in all, College sports are much more exciting than the pros.

College hockey gets more credit than it deserves based on the reputations of college basketball and football (I have Cornell season tickets, btw). The Canadian junior leagues (OHL, WHL, QMJHL) are where most pro prospects go before they're drafted.

[26 and counting]

I just saw a report on Sportscenter, and they're predicting a CBA deal to be done within the next 3-10 days. So it looks like there will be a 2005-06 season. Go Rangers!

[yeahimweird]

College hockey gets more credit than it deserves based on the reputations of college basketball and football (I have Cornell season tickets, btw). The Canadian junior leagues (OHL, WHL, QMJHL) are where most pro prospects go before they're drafted.

I wish there was a way we could watch the Canadian junior leagues here in the States. The London Knights (OHL) had one of the most dominating seasons that I had ever heard of for ANY team (they lost only nine games, including the playoffs, I think). It's something I wish I was able to see.

Sidney Crosby is the best CHL player, the #1 draft pick across the boards, and most American hockey fans haven't seen the kid play yet.

[nyymt62]

Sidney Crosby is the best CHL player, the #1 draft pick across the boards, and most American hockey fans haven't seen the kid play yet.

Yes, there have been hardly any chances to see him play. The only time I can ever remember seeing him play was a couple of clips during US WJC games. It is a shame that we couldn't see him play here in the US. But I guess the demand wasn't there for a QMJHL game broadcast on ESPN.

[cubhater]

What is the NHL?

[26 and counting]

What is the NHL?

The No-Hockey-League. :P

[nyymt62]

The No-Hockey-League. :P

LOL, maybe the name should be changed. After all, they don't want the fans back, so whats the point of them even playing anymore.