The Biggest Game of THIS Weekend Debate – A Good, Present and Future ACC Battle

October 23, 2009

Read Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan’s argument about which game they believe are the best of the upcoming weekend.

A big part of me does not want to pick an ACC football game as the best of the weekend. An even bigger part of me does not want to choose a game that appears very lopsided on paper (or on a computer screen… let’s face it, the clock is ticking on the whole “paper” metaphor thing). The biggest part of me does not want to pick a game that includes the Clemson Tigers, a team that seems to always generate buzz just so the fall from grace hurts so much more.

Despite those obvious drawbacks, I believe the best game of THIS weekend happens in Miami when the eighth ranked Hurricanes play host to the Clemson Tigers.

Clemson still has a chance to win the Atlantic Division in the ACC. It seems hard to believe, but the math is clear. Clemson trails Boston College by a half-game in the ACC Atlantic division right now. And, the teams that bookend Clemson in the ACC Atlantic division are the teams Clemson has beaten and owns a tie break over, Wake Forest (a 38-3 cathartic stomping last weekend) and Boston College. The remaining teams in the division – North Carolina State, Florida State, and Maryland – have a combined one conference win. Obviously that is not very good. While anything can and seems to happen in the ACC, Clemson is in the ideal position to play its way into the ACC championship game. A win over Miami certainly helps the team’s cause.

Even though Miami is playing this game at home, the program historically has very little home field advantage. The school has a lot of fans across the country because of the national exposure the program has gotten from its dominant seasons in the 1980s, but fans in Miami have not turned out in droves for the team. Therefore the home crowd may not become a big factor in rattling the Tigers’ young starting quarterback.

Speaking of which, just as both teams are playing for a common goal (the ACC championship game appearance), both teams share many similar traits. For example, both teams have young quarterbacks. Clemson’s redshirt freshman starter, Kyle Parker, has shown grit, toughness, and some leadership – but has failed in intense situations when trying to lead his team back in the waning moments against Georgia Tech. Miami’s true sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris has shown athleticism, a strong arm, and precision in execution – but failed on the road against Virginia Tech to mount anything resembling a pulse under center.

Both teams also have tough defenses. Clemson allows an ACC second best 270.2 yards per game while Miami allows a fourth best 305.7 yards per game. Clemson also leads the ACC with a total of 10 interceptions as a team. Miami has a league low three team interceptions. It appears, from the statistics at least, that if any team has a better shot at overcoming defensive pressure it is Clemson’s offense.

Both teams blitz a lot on defense, and both teams have the opportunity to force the opposing offense’s quarterback to make the plays necessary to win the game, regardless of team interceptions. The defenses are good, perhaps even SEC caliber. The defenses will set the tone for what is sure to be a low scoring game.

So, when two teams are entering a game that is expected to be low scoring, what is often the deciding factor? Good job, you guessed it – special teams. No program in the ACC has a more “special” player than Clemson running back C.J. Spiller. Spiller leads the league with three special teams returns for touchdowns already this season… two kick offs and one punt return. Spiller may be the deciding factor in this game.

This game is interesting because, as important as it is to both teams involved, it is also an even match up on offense and defense. Clemson is 2-2 in the division and Miami is 2-1. Both teams need to win to gain some separation in their division and take command on their own destiny so the teams may be able to meet again in Tampa this December. If you are a football fan that likes good defense, big plays, and surprising endings… this is the best game of THIS weekend.

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The Reinstating Blount Debate – Honor Means No Hypocrisy

October 23, 2009

Read the debate intro, Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan’s arguments about whether or not Oregon should be allowed to reinstate running back LeGarrette Blount.

Two interesting, well written arguments on a very relevant topic… especially for PAC-10 fans with a game against the resurgent Oregon Ducks looming on the horizon. Many questions prevail from this topic. Here is an interesting one to consider: Did Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly really have to come out and publically proclaim that his players are not allowed to sucker punch other players?

As much as coaches teach and preach to players about human values and moral values, and how football is a great metaphor for life, those lessons only gain meaning when backed up by action. Oregon’s head coach, by even discussing the possibility of reinstating Blount after publically suspending him the season, is demonstrating with real action that the truth does not matter to his player. Is that a life lesson worth teaching?

Loyal Homer wins this debate for making the most significant, impactful point. Kelly stated publically that Blount’s actions are not permitted on his team. By allowing Blount back onto the team – after publically stating the season long punishment – Kelly is in fact permitting Blount’s actions.

Ultimately, it is Bleacher Fan’s insistence than Blount did, “nothing more than sucker punch another player… and then yell at fans.” Blount tried to charge into the crowd and was acting in a way that convinced those watching Blount, if not restrained, would have done harm to those in the crowd. Frankly, the incident with the crowd was far worse that Blount’s sucker punch to Byron Hout.

Loyal Homer is correct is writing that it is not Blount’s actions that are on trial anymore, it is the integrity of the Oregon head coach and the willingness of the coach to stick by his words, no matter how much he and team may benefit from Blount’s services.

If Kelly reinstates Blount he has committed a frustrating hypocrisy that I would like to see die in college sports. The idea that winning at all costs – even if that cost is the values of team and an academic institution – is the foundational element that wins the day and the hearts and minds of those in leadership positions in college athletics.

Kelly could have levied a punishment that left the door to reinstatement ajar. An indefinite suspension with a benchmark for success that Blount must satisfy would have been a better route. Instead, he publically announced a season long suspension. Going back on his word now undoes many important lessons.

Bleacher Fan also stated that history forced emotions to run high on the Oregon sidelines. That is a true statement. However, “being emotionally charged” is not an excuse for outlandish, violent behavior. It simply explains it.

Contrary to Bleacher Fan’s assessment, it was not the suspension that has prevented Blount from leveraging his senior season of football for NFL riches, it is Blount’s own actions that have derailed his future plans.

Hopefully Kelly, the university, and the PAC-10 will remain true to their original statements. If not, rival coaches will circle the blood pouring out of Oregon’s program and lay seeds of doubt in the minds of recruits. Hopefully, when all is said and done, Oregon either sticks to its word, or pays the price.

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The Reinstating Blount Debate – Should Oregon REALLY Reinstate LeGarrette Blount

October 22, 2009

Read Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan’s arguments about whether or not Oregon should be allowed to reinstate running back LeGarrette Blount.



I think we have all seen the punch by now. Well, it was actually a right cross. And, a pretty darn good one at that… just, not at the right time. Nevertheless, Oregon Ducks running back LeGarrette Blount is currently suspended for the season by his coach and from playing for the team, a team that recruited him, invested in him, nurtured him, and now suspended him.

Oregon’s head football coach, Chip Kelly, held a press conference when he communicated the punishment for LeGarrette Blount saying, “I have decided to suspend LeGarrette Blount for the season. It is my belief and the university’s belief that playing football at the University of Oregon is a privilege, and with that privilege goes responsibilities.”

Aside from the poor grammar of that exact quote, this case seems open and shut, right? I mean, that is one clear statement. No loose ends. No loop holes. Airtight. Well… unless you REALLY, REALLY want him back, I suppose.

So, speculation began early in October that a conversation would begin about Blount potentially rejoining the team in a playing role. Then CBS Sports writer Dennis Dodd reported that Blount could be reinstated for the final four games of the season.

While some believed early on that suspending Blount for the entire season was overkill, and others believed the punishment did not go far enough, the punch and Blount’s actions are universally agreed upon as wrong. Very wrong. It is unprofessional and just downright stupid to punch a large football player, let alone the tantrum – and swings – thrown in the general direction of fans during Blount’s exciting exit from the field.

But, should that one punch and the ensuring outburst – after several years of good citizenship at a reputable academic institution – derail all of Blount’s professional opportunities with football? A season long suspension is a devastating punishment for a player with an NFL future and a limited time to prove it. And, what Blount did will certainly draw questions from NFL scouts, coaches, and GMs… you know, potential future employers. But, what Blount did also draws a question from The Sports Debates.

For this debate, set aside the “who started it” questions. Concentrate only on this: Should Oregon and head football coach Chip Kelly reinstate running back LeGarrette Blount?

Loyal Homer will argue that the University of Oregon and its football coach must honor their initial word – yearlong suspension – or they are not teaching the player a lesson. Bleacher Fan will argue that reinstating LeGarrette Blount is the correct move for a variety of reasons.

I believe this will be an interesting debate. What do we value as a society? Is it honor, or wins? I will let the arguments decide.

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The Reinstating Blount Debate – Sticking by Your Word Remains the Way To Go

October 22, 2009

Read the debate intro and Bleacher Fan’s argument that Blount should be reinstated.



As a child growing up in South Georgia, I was always taught by my parents that honesty was the best policy. You have all heard these sayings like, “You are only as good as your word” and “Your word is your bond.” In theory, these are good thoughts to go by in life. In sports, honesty also remains the way to go, and that is often either forgotten or overlooked. For every extra-marital affair by a sports figure or talking head, you have an umpire admitting he missed a call in a postseason game. You often have golfers who give themselves stroke penalties when they feel they have broken a rule. How refreshing. What about Oregon Ducks running back LeGarrette Blount?

You all know who Blount is and what his story is. If you do not, read Sports Geek’s intro. If you have not seen the video of the sucker punch (which I find hard to believe), then click here. No one is letting the Boise State player off the hook. In the year of “non-celebration,” it was something that was done in poor taste. But Blount should not have lost his cool, and should therefore suffer the consequences, as he has to this point.

The day after the game, Blount was told by Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly and athletic director Mike Belloti (who actually recruited Blount to Eugene) that he was being suspended for the remainder of the season. With Blount being a senior, his college career was effectively over. In the press conference announcing the suspension, several quotes were made and several prepared statements were released by all ofinvolved parties backing up the suspension.

  • “That’s not what we are all about. That’s not what we coach. That’s not what we stand for and it’s unacceptable.” Oregon head football coach Chip Kelly
  • ”We do not and will not tolerate the actions that were taken by our player. Oregon’s loyal fans expect and deserve better.” Oregon president Richard Lariviere in a prepared statement
  • “The PAC-10 strong emphasizes sportsmanship and fair play in all its athletic competitions and expects high standards of sportsmanship from all participants, including student-athletes. In this case, those standards were not met and the university has taken appropriate disciplinary actions.” Pac 10 Commissioner Larry Scott

Now, let’s fast forward to today. After an apology by Blount was published in the school paper earlier this month it was announced that Blount might be reinstated if he reaches certain guidelines. He could possibly play as early as November 7th against Stanford.

If that happens, then the three quotes I listed above can be wadded up and thrown out with yesterday’s newspaper. Kelly must now think that Blount’s actions were acceptable and it is what “we are all about.” Is Lariviere saying that Oregon tolerates such actions? Apparently so! Does the PAC-10 not emphasize strong sportsmanship? Apparently they do not!

I cannot help but wonder if Oregon is looking at the fact that Blount could be a big help to this year’s team. Oregon has been on a roll since that opening game nightmare. I am not saying that is in the thought process… but if it is, then shame on Oregon. Looking on from afar, the idea of Blount’s abilities helping Pregon definitely enters my mind!

The bottom line is that Oregon took a stand in the line of fire earlier this season, and now they are retracting the original punishment. The program and its representatives are not sticking to their original “word.” Therefore the entire coaching staff, administration, and even the conference as a whole, loses credibility.

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The Reinstate LeGarrette Blount Debate – Control Your Emotion or It Will Control You!

October 22, 2009

Read the debate intro and Loyal Homer’s argument that LeGarrette Blount should not be reinstated as an active player for the Oregon Ducks.



“It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes… we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions – especially selfish ones.” – Alexandr Solzhenitsyn

While that quote may be true for Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount, it is ALSO true for his head football coach, Chip Kelly.

Yes, Blount’s actions were completely unacceptable. It does not matter that Boise State defensive end Byron Hout was taunting him after the game – the fact that Blount punched him is inexcusable. Kelly was right in addressing the incident quickly, and Blount deserved to be punished for his actions.

The extent of that punishment, though, is debatable. Whether people like to admit it or not, punching happens in football all the time. Sometimes, as was the case during the Notre Dame-Michigan matchup on September 12th of this season, the punch may take place during the course of play. In this incident, Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton punched Notre Dame center Eric Olsen after a play concluded. Other times the punch takes place after the game ends, which is when Blount decided to haul off and deck Hout.

In instances like these the offending player’s school and/or conference have the authority to determine how best to address the situation. In Mouton’s case, the Big Ten felt it was appropriate to suspend him for one game. For the Blount incident, the punishment was a bit more extreme.

Chip Kelly, who was coming off of the field from his first time game as a head coach, adamantly stated that behavior such as Blount’s was unacceptable, and that he would not permit it within his organization. He then stated that Blount would be suspended from playing in a game for the remainder of the season. He was still kept on as a member of the team, and was permitted to participate in practices, but would not be permitted to participate on Saturdays.

That punishment is rather harsh, considering the fact that Blount did nothing more than sucker-punch a player (who was instigating) and then yell at fans. I will say again – I am not condoning his actions, I am just trying to put them into perspective.

Think about the Kelly’s situation when he was forced to address this issue. He had just assumed the reigns of a major football program in the PAC-10 Conference, a program that earned a preseason ranking as the 16th best team in the nation. Many analysts around the country pegged Oregon as the number one contender that could FINALLY knock Southern Cal off the top of the mountain. Then the team’s first game of the season was on the road against the 14th ranked Boise State Broncos. The matchup was highly anticipated by many around the country, and the players’ emotions were no less charged.

Just one season earlier, unranked Boise State went into Eugene and defeated the then 17th ranked Ducks by a score of 37-32. During the first quarter of that game, Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was forced to leave due to a concussion that many felt was the result of a late hit. With all of those factors as a backdrop, it is safe to assume that emotions were running high as Oregon and Boise State both approached their 2009 rematch.

With all the pressure, emotion, and eventual frustration from the game (Oregon was never able to get their offense moving, eventually losing the game by a score of 19-8), fuses were a little short and tension was running high. Obviously, these feelings affected LeGarrette Blount. But for everyone else on the field, including Chip Kelly, the effect was no less significant. For Kelly, the frustration, anger, and emotion of the situation got the best of him, just as it had gotten the best of LeGarrette Blount, and he reacted to that emotion when deciding Blount’s punishment. After losing such a frustrating match, his star player STUPIDLY punched another player creating a scandal that further marred Kelly’s debut as a head coach. In an attempt to get in front of the situation before it could further define his first season at the helm, Kelly laid down an extremely severe punishment.

In hindsight, once the emotions of the situation cooled down and people were able to rationally look back and evaluate it, many agreed that the punishment was extreme. For Blount, the 2009 season would be his final at the collegiate level, and he had been hoping to use this season as a platform into the NFL. By losing the ability to play his final season, Blount realistically lost millions of dollars in potential earnings. Missing an entire season of football would most certainly impact his appeal in the upcoming draft, all because he punched a guy who was mouthing off to him.

Enough is enough! Blount has already missed FIVE games as a result of this one punch, which is four more games than Michigan’s Jonas Mouton missed for the exact same offense. The punishment, in this case, far exceeds the crime committed. There is nothing at all wrong with Kelly’s acknowledgement of that fact and the subsequent reinstatement of Blount. I would rather see Kelly “honor” the need to do the right thing, which is to amend his initial punishment (that was rendered out of the same emotionally-driven state as Blount’s punch) than to “honor” his word by unfairly continuing to punish Blount in such an excessive manner. In doing so, he would be sending a very positive message to his team by demonstrating fairness, compassion, and understanding, all of which are far more honorable virtues than the principle of foolishly (and incorrectly) standing behind a statement made in haste.

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The NHL On Versus Debate – Hockey Has Taken a Step Back

October 22, 2009

Read the debate intro, Sports Geek’s argument, and Bleacher Fan’s argument.



I admittedly came into this debate with a bit of a knowledge gap when it comes to hockey. I was aware of the fact that hockey was a big part of Versus’ programming package and had been for a couple of years. But as a whole, I was not that familiar with any details the television contract the NHL had with Versus and until recently, I was in the dark regarding the DirecTV-Comcast Dispute. After reading up on the topic while researching the debate intro I was able to get the essential details and effectively judge the debate… at least in the opinion of the winner of this debate.

There is no sense beating around the bush. The winner of the debate is Sports Geek.

When I was growing up, I recall NHL being on ESPN quite a bit (and no, this is not an infomercial for ESPN). I remember guys like Steve Levy and Gary Thorne working hockey for ESPN. Viewers were bombarded with constant shots of Barry Melrose. I never was an avid fan, but during hockey season the highlights took up time on SportsCenter, therefore I watched. This was all in the pre-lockout days. Things changed after the lockout. I will grant Bleacher Fan the fact that perhaps the NHL’s options for television partnerships were limited when the league signed its original deal with Versus. Maybe the NHL felt like Versus was the best they could do.

But the debate was about the relationship between Versus and the league – was that relationship a successful partnership? Looking at the numbers presented by Sports Geek, it obviously was not then and is still not a good thing. I believe a show about Loyal Homer, Sports Geek, and Bleacher Fan staring at the grass on a football field would get a better rating than what the NHL gets on Versus. The recognition just is not there. Does Versus do anything to promote the overall product? I am not seeing it if they do and I watch a lot of TV and read a lot of sports news, both online and print!

Sports Geek wrote, “The NHL needs ESPN more than ESPN needs the NHL.” That assessment is correct. Casual fans are not reached by Versus. I am not sure new fans are being reached at all. If the NHL were a series it would be cancelled and not be renewed. If a company wants to sell a product, does the company want its product in a store that no one goes into?

As it stands right now the deal has been a bust for the NHL and I think it could hurt the league long-term. There are many new stars in the league – three of which the Sports Debates highlighted last week – and very few people seem to know who they are, much less could recognize their faces. I challenge you, if you are a casual sports fan, to name 15 NHL hockey players. Do it! I dare you! And no, do not go running to NHL.com or to Wikipedia! But, if you can name them off the top of your head, post them in the comments!

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The NHL On Versus Debate – Is Versus A Good Fit for the NHL?

October 21, 2009

Read Sports Geek’s argument and Bleacher Fan’s argument about whether or not the NHL made a mistake when giving their broadcast rights to Versus over ESPN.



Perhaps you are familiar with the television channel Versus. Versus, formerly known as OLN (Outdoor Life Network) until 2006, is a sports-oriented channel on many cable and satellite systems. The channel carriers sports such as college football, Indy racing, college basketball, cycling, outdoor sports, and others stuff. I watch it occasionally, as I specifically recall watching a good bit of the Florida State-BYU game on Versus earlier this year. For the purpose of today’s debate, The Sports Debates is going to look at the relationship between Versus and the National Hockey League.

In 2005, Versus (then still known as OLN) won the rights to televise the NHL with a two year, $130 million dollar contract (with a network option for a third). The contract has since been extended to last through the 2010-2011 season. Hockey had previously been televised by ESPN, and ESPN decided not to match OLN’s original offer. It should also be noted that NBC also has a smaller deal with the NHL.

Seems like a win-win situation, right? Well, not necessarily.

Last month it was announced that Comcast (the cable company that owns Versus) and DirecTV, were unable to agree to a deal. Thus, Versus is dropped from its programming catalog. DirecTV released a statement on the situation and it can be found here. Versus then obviously released a statement and a series of advertisements to explain its side of the situation. The channel has also started a nationwide email campaign explaining its side. It is a classic battle of “he said, she said.” Nonetheless, the real losers are the 18 million subscribers of DirecTV, one of whom happens to be Bleacher Fan.

Well, that topic made for interesting conversation during one of our always lively The Sports Debates production meetings. Is the relationship between the NHL and Versus a good thing for the league? Is it good for the overall growth of the league? That is where two hockey fans, Sports Geek and Bleacher Fan, come in.

Sports Geek will argue that the league made the original deal with the NHL out of desperation and that overall, the deal has limited the growth of the NHL. Bleacher Fan, on the other hand, will argue that the original deal with Versus was a good deal and it was something the NHL needed.

The puck has been dropped. It is face-off time!

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Posted by Loyal Homer

The NHL On Versus Debate – The NHL Made a Fixable Mistake

October 21, 2009

Read the debate intro and Bleacher Fan’s argument that the NHL deciding to give their broadcast rights to Versus over ESPN was a good move.



The rumors started back in March of this year with words like “no immediate talks.” Despite outright denials about the validity of the reported stories and the persistence of the rumors, the NHL is still vehemently denying a return to the mother ship – read: giving their broadcast rights BACK to ESPN. But, criticism of the NHL’s contract with Versus persisted into April. And then July.

The question is… why? Why are there rumors continuously swirling around the NHL’s return to ESPN? Because of the failure that is the NHL’s “Versus experiment.” To call Versus an obscure television channel is a bit of an understatement. The channel, formerly called “OLN” or “Outdoor Life Network” made a splash when securing the exclusive cable broadcast rights for the NHL… coming off of a hockey work stoppage in 2005 that many believed would cripple the league beyond repair. Instead Versus placed its bet that a once thriving league could be relevant again and offered $130M for the league’s broadcast rights. ESPN said, “take ‘em… enjoy!” ESPN made the right move, correctly diagnosing a constant truth – the NHL needs ESPN more than ESPN needs the NHL.

While the NHL still does solid attendance figures for games, TV ratings are dwindling. Network television broadcast partner NBC is in its final season of its NHL contracts with signs pointing to no renewal. While ratings have increased slightly season over season, the TV watching population is hundreds of millions of eyeballs. Versus averaged just 246,154 viewers for the 2006-2007, and has remained nearly flat year over year. Obviously those numbers are not strong. And, those numbers are not getting substantially better.

As of this article’s publishing, Versus – and by extension the NHL – still does not have a distribution deal with DirecTV. So, of the millions of folks on DirecTV that would actually watch the NHL, they are all in the dark. DirecTV is the nation’s largest satellite provider, and dumping Versus chopped nearly a third of loyal Versus viewers from getting access to the content they want. Oops.

Shortly after hopping into the sack with Versus, the league launched its own network in 2007. While the NHL Network is hyped as being available in 75 million homes, the truth is that fewer than seven million homes actually pay to receive the NHL network, whether consumers get their service through cable or satellite companies. While this move is surely seen as shrewd by some, most perceive it as a failure. Jody Shapiro, the NHL’s group VP of television and media ventures, told TV Week, “We think our fans will come and find us.” But, the NHL will also not release the number of channel subscribers. Hmm.

The point to all of this research is this analysis: the NHL is not very good at working television contracts that benefit the brand, grow its franchises, and appeal to its fans. You know, the three most important marketing objectives of any television deal.

Versus deserves some credit for trying. The Comcast-owned network is attempting to align itself more with real sports enthusiasts by broadcasting college football, the Tour de France, boxing, and MMA events. But, those sports – and even the college football conferences that Versus signed to broadcast – share the network’s inherent obscurity. While the network has 74 million subscribers, that number is still shy of ESPN – and even ESPN2 – by well over 20 million subscribers.

Versus and the NHL agreed to stay tethered until the 2010-2011 season is complete. At that point the bidding will likely reopen. If the NHL is smart – and it needs to be – it will listen to what ESPN has to say and spend time thinking about VALUE (distribution, cross-promotion, advertising, ratings, etc.) more that it thinks about ego… ahem Gary Bettman ahem.

It can be properly surmised from reading my past articles that I am no ESPN cheerleader. I feel what the worldwide leader is doing in local markets verges on a monopoly. However, the NHL is silly to refuse reuniting with ESPN. ESPN has so many different content distribution channels, cross-promotional opportunities, and hype-machines in overdrive that the NHL is harming its own product by refusing a broadcast partner with the capacity to grow the product. The experts were as correct two years ago as the building majority is now – NHL, go back to ESPN and see the league flourish again.

A healthy and viable NHL is good for sports. The negativity about American sports that emanates from stories like NHL great Jaromir Jagr deciding to play in Russia can be stunted with better, positive exposure for the NHL in North America. The league simply has not received the type of exposure it needs to enhance its brand and grow its fan base. It is time for the NHL to move back to ESPN. The Versus experiment was a failure.

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The NHL on Versus Debate – It Is All About the Loons

October 21, 2009

Read the debate intro and Sports Geek’s argument that the NHL made a mistake in agreeing to a television contract with the Versus Network.



The NHL has never been mistaken as a television-friendly league. Although hockey is one of the most exciting sports to watch in person, there is something left to be desired when watching the game at home. Innovations such as Fox’s “Puck-Tracker” have been tried over recent years, all in an attempt to enhance the television experience. But, the success of those innovations has been very limited. When matched up against the NFL, NBA, or MLB on television, the NHL does not stand a chance.

Then the lockout of the 2004 season came along. For a league that already lacked substantial television revenues, the last thing the NHL could afford was to cancel an entire season of play because of a labor dispute. That is exactly what took place, though. The NHL teetered on the brink of falling into obscurity. During the lockout period it was very easy for casual fans of the sport to forget about hockey altogether. Unlike the MLB strike of 1994, or the NBA lockout which took place in 1998, the NHL lacked a broad enough fan base to keep the game relevant. As a result, when the labor dispute was finally settled in 2005 the NHL had very little bargaining power for how its games would be televised.

The Comcast-owned Outdoor Living Network (OLN), which at the time was striving to stake a claim as a major competitor in sports broadcasting, saw an opportunity to capitalize on the NHL’s situation and made a very lucrative offer to the NHL for the broadcasting rights to its games. In response, ESPN president George Bodenheimer, declined to match OLN’s offer, saying that “given the prolonged work stoppage and the league’s TV ratings history, no financial model even remotely supports the contract terms offered.” Basically, Bodenheimer implied that OLN (which would eventually become the Versus Network) was offering the NHL more than it was worth, and that this deal was the best that the NHL could hope for.

Although the league failed to achieve the same ratings levels it did while partnered with ESPN, the NHL has seen steady and consistent growth in viewership while partnering with Versus. Since returning to play in 2005, the NHL on Versus has resulted in regular season television ratings of 0.2 for the 2005 and 2006 seasons, and 0.3 for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. For the Stanley Cup, ratings have doubled from 0.9 in 2005 up to 1.8 in 2008, a number that is very impressive when you consider that the mighty NBC only earned a 1.6 rating during the 2007 Stanley Cup matchup between the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Ottowa Senators. The most positive indication that the NHL-Versus partnership is successful came during the first round of the 2008 NHL playoffs, when Versus realized an increase in viewership of 26.7%.

Despite the growth, it is hard to deny the negative impact that will be felt by the NHL as a result of DirecTV’s dispute with Comcast, the parent company of the Versus network, especially if it continues for any substantial length of time. Undoubtedly ratings for the NHL will decline. What is most important to keep in mind, however, is that the Versus deal was right for the NHL at the time that it was made (and subsequently extended). The drop in ratings which is felt by the NHL as a result of this dispute will be short-lived. Upon resolution of the disagreement, the drop will be immediately corrected and the ratings will return instantly to their consistent growth. In the worst-case scenario – if DirecTV and Comcast are unable to resolve this dispute (an outcome that I believe is HIGHLY unlikely) – then the NHL has the option of seeking a new agreement with another broadcast partner (such as ESPN). That does not guarantee the NHL will find a BETTER offer.

The deal with Versus has been very beneficial for the NHL. The league has never truly been successful in the television marketplace, and after the lockout of the 2004 season, the league had very low expectations for its return to play in 2005. Thanks in part to the eagerness of a fledgling cable network the NHL was still able to land a very beneficial television deal which has since resulted in sustained growth for the viewership of the league. They took the best offer on the table at the time, and it has rewarded them with consistent success ever since.

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The Length of the MLB Season Debate – Addition By Subtraction is Not the Answer

October 21, 2009

Read the debate intro, Sports Geek’s argument that the length of the baseball season is appropriate, and Loyal Homer’s argument that 162 games is too many.



I always find it interesting to discuss potential changes to the game of baseball. Because the game is so steeped in tradition, it can be difficult to imagine an alternative of any kind to the game we see today. Traditionalists, purists, and baseball historians instantly bristle at the idea of deviation from the tried-and-true formula that is the game they cherish. To them, a change to the format of baseball is tantamount to changing the words of the Star Spangled Banner.

On the other hand, tradition should not be upheld for its own sake. For example, hitters did not always wear batting helmets when stepping up to the plate, and as Sports Geek points out, many of the early ballparks did not have a home run fence. A more recent example of a very radical change to the game of baseball was the realignment of the league following the 1993 season, and the addition of the postseason wildcard team.

The important factor in determining whether or not to alter tradition is value. Does the proposed change improve the game of baseball or not? In the context of yesterday’s debate, the question comes down to whether or not baseball is better served by shortening its season. Can Major League Baseball improve its product by condensing their season? In a short, no it cannot.

I am awarding the ‘W’ to Sports Geek, who raised two points which demonstrate the real value of a 162 game schedule, both from a financial and a statistical standpoint.

Financially, it makes sense to play as many games as possible. Simply put – playing more games creates the opportunity to sell more tickets and to televise games, both of which add revenue. If baseball were to shorten its season, ticket prices would have to be raised in order to offset the lost revenue from the fewer games that are played. If the Pittsburgh Pirates thought it was hard to sell tickets now, just imagine if the franchise raised ticket prices by five percent to account for a five percent decrease in the number of games played!

Statistically speaking, Sports Geek is also correct in identifying the need for quantity in order to determine a valid measurement. A hitter may bat 1.000 for his average if he only has one at-bat. While that one at-bat may have been successful, it is in no way a measure of success over the entire season. In order to truly gauge the success of a baseball player, the opportunity must exist for that player to demonstrate consistent success over an extended period of time. In football, for example, a quarterback may throw the ball 500 – 600 times in a season. There are significantly more opportunities within a single game of football for a player to prove their ability for sustained success over an extended period of time. For a hitter in baseball who may step up to the plate only three or four times per game, more games are necessary in order to create that same amount of opportunity to establish statistical relevance.

For Loyal Homer’s part, the issue is raised that the baseball season could extend until November 5th, which would make the length of the 2009 season a full seven months. While that may seem like a long time, it is not that far off from the other professional sports in America. The NFL kicked its 2009 season off on September 10th while the Super Bowl is scheduled for February 7th of 2010. The NFL season is five months long, and it only schedules ten percent of the games played in baseball. The NBA season stretches from October into June, a full eight months in length. When considering the number of games played in baseball compared to the other major sports, requiring only seven months to crown a champion is relatively short.

It should also be noted that competition between the leagues is unavoidable. We are not discussing high school sports, where the seasons are segmented to avoid overlapping. The timing of the NBA and NFL seasons allow for a gap of less than three months between their respective schedules. It is therefore unrealistic to expect Major League Baseball to condense its schedule into a three-month window just so the league can minimize competition with the NBA postseason and the kickoff of the NFL season.

In reality, thanks to the media obsession with the NFL, professional football has actually become a year-round spectacle. This season, the Super Bowl is scheduled for early February, officially concluding the 2009 season. It should be noted, though, that the Scouting Combines for the 2010 season are scheduled to begin only 17 days after the Super Bowl is played. The Combines will last for approximately one week, and are followed immediately by the opening of free agency. Just one month after free agency, the NFL Draft will take place, with team OTAs, mini-camps, and preseason to follow. While other leagues may follow similar calendars, none get the attention that the NFL gets.

Rather than hide from competition, the MLB should be taking measures to win competition in an attempt to attract viewers away from the NBA and NFL. Ultimately, that is what will add value to the game of baseball.

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