The All-Star Selection Process Debate… Power to the Player

November 15, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Optimist Prime.

All-Star games are intended to serve two purposes. The first is to serve as a means for recognizing the league’s top players, and the second is to be an opportunity to entertain the fans with an exhibition, and hopefully generate a little extra revenue for the league.

Where is it written that an All-Star Game has to be arranged so that the two teams are divided by league or conference? Yes, it is ONE way to split the teams, and it is an EASY way to split them, but that does not mean it is the only way, or the correct way.

One problem with that format is that it mandates there MUST be an equal number of All-Stars from each conference, which is not always the case.

The NFL this season is the perfect example of this problem, where the AFC as a conference is loaded with powerhouse teams, while the NFC has only one or two clubs that are playing noteworthy football. That is not to say that teams like the Arizona Cardinals (who have lost four in a row) are a talentless organization, but does Larry Fitzgerald (for example), REALLY deserve a Pro Bowl invitation this season?

Fitzgerald entered yesterday’s performance with only 42 catches (tied for 18th in the NFL) for 510 yards (22nd in the NFL) and four touchdowns (tied for 21st in the NFL), while AFC receivers like Brandon Lloyd, Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson, Chad Ochocinco, and Dwayne Bowe all have to compete for the restricted number of roster spots allotted only for the AFC. Compared to his AFC counterparts, is Fitzgerald truly stacking up as a Pro Bowler? I don’t think so.

Another issue I have with this format is that it makes it inherently impossible for us, as fans, to see how certain superstar athletes would match up against each other, or how they would complement each other if they played together.

Hockey fans can see Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins play together 82 times each year. Why do they have to play together AGAIN in an exhibition match that is intended as a reward for their individual performances on the ice?

Likewise, just imagine a line that featured a legend like Mike Modano at center, with Patrick Kane and Alex Ovechkin on the wings. Well, based on the “standard” format, that could never happen, since Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals are not in the same conference as Modano’s Detroit Red Wings, or Kane’s Chicago Blackhawks.

It is for those reasons that I am thrilled to hear about the unique new format that the NHL has decided to implement for determining which players will skate on each side of their All-Star game. Instead of restricting eligibility to geographic regions the NHL has opened it up so that All-Stars – as determined by a combination of fan vote and committee selection – will be randomly assigned to sides in the ultimate fantasy draft.

This is really the perfect format for establishing the pool of All-Star players, and determining the rosters for the game itself.

First, and most importantly, the voice of the fan will still be heard. As the paying customers for the business of hockey, they absolutely deserve the right to name which players will start in the exhibition game that celebrates the best in the league.

But where this gets interesting is in how the rest of the squads will be selected.

The first improvement made with this new process is that the remaining All-Stars will be selected by a league committee to establish a pool of 54 players, including 12 rookies. And although each team is guaranteed to have a representative in the pool of All-Star players, there is no restriction on the All-Star ballot by conference, which means that fans can vote for the best or most deserving players without any caveats. If the fans feel that the six best goalies in the NHL are all from the East, then they will have the opportunity to voice that opinion (and have it heard).

Then, from that pool, the players who were selected as the best of the season will get to be rewarded with a little control of their own. They will get to choose among themselves the All-Star captains, who will then draft from the remaining players to fill out their rosters regardless of which team they play for, and which conference they play in.

This new process adds a little gamesmanship – and a whole lot of intrigue – to a process that was previously a mere formality. Now, it’s not just about finding out which players were selected as All-Stars, but instead the fans will be treated to a fantasy draft that will surely generate copious amounts of analysis and water-cooler talk as the matchups and lineups are determined.

The new format will help stir up more of the players’ competitive juices by giving them control over which sides each superstar will play for, and will create a far more entertaining game and skills-challenge than has ever been seen in previous NHL seasons, or in any sport for that matter.

The All-Star game is not an outlet to determine something as important as home field advantage in the league championship. It is a break from the action for the league’s best to have some fun, and do what they do best – entertain the fans.

Leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB should take note, because this is one time where the NHL is the leader of the pack.

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The New NHL TV Deal Debate Verdict

November 4, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Optimist Prime and Sports Geek.

If there is anything that the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants have proven with their recent runs through the MLB playoffs, it is that history does not always serve as an indicator of future performance. And that is exactly the message that the NHL is hoping to communicate to television networks as they continue their search for a new contract to broadcast their games beginning next season.

Historically, the NHL has struggled in gaining strong television ratings, especially when compared to the likes of the NFL, NBA, or even major college sports. Even when they have added features designed specifically to enhance the TV viewing experience, they have failed to see any substantial return on their investments (who ever would have guessed that Puck Tracker would be such a flop?!).

But after an outstanding showing from both the American and Canadian teams in the Vancouver Olympics, and a Stanley Cup that featured two classic “hockey town” teams from two major markets, the NHL has seen an unprecedented spike in popularity, timed conveniently with the expiration of their current television contracts.

In reading the debates from Sports Geek and Optimist Prime, I absolutely loved Sports Geek’s analogy to an athlete playing during a contract year. It is generally accepted that an athlete will kick in a little extra if they believe it will help them get a bigger paycheck next year. It is in those times that athletes, or in this case the NHL, is playing not only for their fans, but also for potential suitors. They understand the laws of supply and demand, and know that the more demand they can generate, the greater their value will be.

But as Sports Geek cautions, once that big contract is landed, many athletes slip either back to a more “average” level of performance, or show an even steeper decline, and the value of that signing is greatly diminished.

If that pattern were the norm, though, rather than the exception, the experiment of Free Agency would have failed long ago. While there have been many players who failed to live up to their new, high-dollar contracts, many more provide exactly the value that was expected, with some providing even more.

In either case, a trend of enhanced performance, whether conveniently timed to coincide with a contract renegotiation or not, should not be automatically labeled as a fluke. Likewise, it should never be assumed that the performance will decline, again, once that high-dollar contract is signed.

Accentuating that point, Optimist Prime highlights the current climate of professional sports in America.

In this era of increased focus on player safety, the NHL is still able to maintain a relatively controlled environment that is nevertheless fast, exciting, and extremely physical. I also agree with Optimist Prime’s assessment that NHL hockey would likely be far more entertaining to watch than ESPN’s coverage of bowling and poker.

Optimist Prime argues that the NHL’s popularity truly is on the rise, and that now is the time for a network to buy, so they can capitalize on this trend.

I tend to agree with that sentiment, and am awarding the verdict to Optimist Prime.

Understandably, there was going to be a honeymoon period of sorts for hockey following the Olympics. The instantly classic matchups between the United States and Canada both helped propel the NHL’s newest stars into a very bright spotlight, and they all delivered brilliantly.

The difference this time around is that the honeymoon period never seemed to end.

The Olympic Torch was extinguished February, almost immediately after Team Canada was awarded their hockey golds, yet viewership ratings were still reaching record heights four months later, in June. Then, after a summer off that provided more than ample time and distraction from hockey (sports fans were treated to the World Cup, MLB and PGA play, ‘The Decision’, and the kickoff to yet another NFL season), the NHL somehow managed to pick up right where it left off.

The season opener brought in exceptionally high TV ratings on the Versus Network, and several teams have sustained those ratings boosts through the entire month of October, with no sign of a drop-off anywhere in the foreseeable future. Obviously, the reigning champion Chicago Blackhawks knew they could count on increased ratings for their games, but even teams like the St. Louis Blues, who missed last years Stanley Cup playoffs, are seeing record numbers from their television viewing audience.

By comparison, the MLS, who had hoped to capitalize on the tremendous exposure that U.S. Soccer generated in their dramatic World Cup performance, saw ratings plummet as soon as two weeks after the World Cup Champions were crowned.

The increased viewership totals for the NHL are being sustained for a much greater period of time than what is normally seen after an event that generates a popularity spike. Every indication right now is that the NHL is experiencing something far more exciting than a simple peak in fan interest that will be short lived. Instead, the league truly does appear to be on the rise.

My advice to the television networks, along with the advice of Optimist Prime and the NHL executives is simple – Get it now, while the getting is good. Demand for the NHL as a television product appears to be on the rise, and this is a tremendous opportunity for any television network to partner with the NHL in a deal that will likely become extremely lucrative for everyone involved.

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The New NHL TV Deal Debate

November 3, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Optimist Prime and Sports Geek.

The San Francisco Giants won their first World Series Championship in over 50 years. Brett Favre cut his chin and the Vikings waived Randy Moss. The Miami Heat, after a game one slip, are now rolling over their competition.

But what is going on in the NHL?

After a 2009 season that attracted some of the highest TV ratings in the league’s history, league executives believe that you, as the fans, are craving just that information more than ever before, and hope to leverage that into a more lucrative television contract.

With their current television contracts set to expire at the close of this season, and with that recent statistical data backing their claims that the NHL’s popularity is on the rise, today’s question is a simple one – If you were a television network executive, would you buy into the NHL’s estimation and invest heavily in a contract with the league, or do you still think buyers should beware?

There is no denying that the NHL received a HUGE popularity boost last year, thanks to the combination of a fantastic Winter Olympics performance from both the United States’ and Canadian teams, along with a tremendous Stanley Cup series that featured the Chicago Blackhawks winning their first Cup in 49 years over the Philadelphia Flyers (both of which are teams that play for true “hockey towns.” But is that popularity sustainable, and does it truly warrant a substantially more lucrative contract?

Optimist Prime believes that this is the beginning of a surge in popularity for the NHL, and now is the time to invest in the league, while Sports Geek contrarily wants to caution those television networks on what he perceives to be a poor investment.

And now that the U.S. elections are concluded, I don’t want to see any negative campaigning in these debates.

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The New NHL TV Deal Debate… More Great Options Than Ever

November 3, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Sports Geek

I have to argue that hockey should be a hot property for television. That seems crazy to your average sports fan, but your average sports fan is used to consuming ESPN. ESPN crafts very nice, friendly highlight packages for NHL games… but that is the extent of its coverage. Versus crafts detailed, well-produced national coverage for NHL games, but only two-thirds of the national cable audience gets Versus, and few know where to find it. I have to argue that larger networks should invest in a niche sport and promote it – but they should. I know I’m right. Let me prove why.

When the contributors behind thesportsdebates.com sent out this week’s topic list, the first line of the reference article for the hockey ratings debate told the tale. Plain and simple, the NHL ended last season with its best television rating for a game in thirty-six years. That, in and of itself, indicates a healthy and growing product that the league should promote. It’s a difficult conflict for the league – it appreciates Versus as a loyal (and paying) business partner, but there is only so much home penetration with a network like Versus.

Easy, says my opponent, who is determined to argue against my point. Some regular season games, and many playoff games, were on NBC, and even a test pattern on NBC will usually pull a 1.0 (with apologies to Jay Leno’s 10p show, may it rest in peace). However, game six of the Stanley Cup Finals drew a 4.7 rating. NASCAR on Fox, the nation’s universally respected number two spectator sport, drew an average 4.8 rating for the early portion of the 2010 Sprint Cup season. Though contract numbers are not always exact, based on the value of the NASCAR TV contract (across multiple networks), the NHL is severely undervalued as a television entity.

Stepping away from the statistical facts, think about where sports in America are headed. We like violent sports and we like sports that are easily delivered in HD. The NHL on a basic cable/network contract fits that bill easily. While hockey is taking necessary steps to curb unnecessary violence in the game, it is, by necessity, a fast and violent game. At its root, hockey is a simple game that translates well to adequate broadcast booths. The excitement of the game (especially late in the season and during the playoffs) translates well to the short attention span of today’s television sports viewer. Beyond that, there are many television networks trying to gain a toehold into sports viewing (think about Turner Sports’ play for the baseball playoffs and NCAA tournament). The sports viewing landscape is no longer ESPN or bust. In fact, knowledgeable observers can picture the NHL on a number of non-ESPN properties, and I think the NHL is salivating at that possibility. While the league has carefully cultivated quality studio and play-by-play personnel on Versus, I suspect the league’s strong endorsement of those personnel would translate very well to any broadcast network.

Given the low-rated sports programming on the ESPN family networks (bowling, poker, etc.), the NHL would be a solid investment. The league would be an inexpensive investment given other properties and the NHL is looking for a growth opportunity on a network that will promote the league to most cable homes. As much as I appreciate the Versus broadcasts, any large network (ESPN, Turner networks, etc.) will incorporate homegrown talent capable of distributing to an existing audience, which is clear judging by the ratings for last season’s Stanley Cup Finals. This seems like the perfect opportunity for a broadcast entity to buy rights fairly low and reap the advertising revenue and ratings fairly high. The question is, who will take advantage of this rare opportunity?

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The Best Sports Father-Son(s) Debate… One Hull of a Good Hockey Tandem

June 21, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Sports Geek.

I hope all you dads out there had a great Father’s Day yesterday!

In light of the ‘holiday’ (which is one of the most important all year), we the writers at The Sports Debates got into a lengthy conversation about which father and son tandem was the best to have played their respective sports during their respective times.

There were many worthy names that came into discussion – Griffey, Manning, Earnhardt, Bonds, etc. But with each family name brought up, there was usually one of the two (or three) whose accomplishments overshadowed the others.

For the Mannings, Peyton and Eli may have both been Super Bowl MVPs, but Archie was little more than a good quarterback for a lousy team. Archie is known more as being the father of Peyton and Eli than he is for being the quarterback of the New Orleans Saints.

Likewise, Dale Jr. is nowhere near the driver that his father was, a point discussed in a previous debate on this site.

In most cases, the name is made ‘great’ by one family member, but only made ‘good’ by the other. You could even go so far as to argue the point that the ‘good’ one is only perceived as such because of the legacy he shares with his family member.

There is one exception to this rule, though, which makes them the de facto BEST father-son tandem to have played in any sport – The NHL’s Bobby and Brett Hull.

For the entire second half of the 20th century (that’s 50 years to all you mathematicians out there), the NHL was DOMINATED by a Hull (two if you include Bobby’s brother, Dennis, who had a very impressive career in his own right). Beginning with Bobby’s rookie season in 1958, and not ending until Brett’s retirement in 2006, the name Hull was synonymous with the NHL.

Both Hulls were named to the list of the Greatest 100 Hockey Players of All Time. Bobby was named the eighth greatest ever, while Brett comes in at 64. While 64 may not seem THAT impressive (although even being considered the 64th best player of all-time is still a great accomplishment), this list was actually published while Brett was still an active player in 1998, and he still had eight years remaining in his career. It should also be noted that he was one of only 13 active players to be named to the list.

Between the two of them, Bobby and Brett also share three Stanley Cups (one for Bobby and two for Brett), three Hart Memorial Trophies for being the league MVP (two for Bobby and one for Brett), two Lady Byng Memorial Trohpies (one apiece), and 20 All-Star selections (twelve for Bobby and eight for Brett).

It was their ability to score goals, however, that truly set them apart.

When Bobby Hull retired in 1980, he had scored 610 goals in the NHL, and at the time was ranked second all-time in goals scored for the league. Although several players have surpassed his total in the 30 years since he last skated in the NHL, he still ranks ranks 15th all-time. If you add to that already impressive total the additional 303 goals that Bobby scored while playing for the Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association, he actually ranks second all-time with 913 combined goals scored as a professional hockey player, falling short only of his teammate Gordie Howe’s combined total of 975.

Not even the “Great One”, Wayne Gretzky, scored that many goals in his professional career.

And speaking of players who have since passed Bobby Hulls career NHL goal total, Brett Hull retired in 2006 with 741 goals scored, placing him CURRENTLY as third on the all-time NHL list, behind Gretzky and Howe.

There is no other father and son tandem in all of professional sports in which both father AND son can claim that same level of success during their times as active players.

Rather than having their careers and/or legacies enhanced because of their lineage, it was their lineage that was enhanced because of their separate careers. Unlike the other so-called great father and son tandems, Bobby and Brett Hull were both STAND-ALONE legends in their times. Their careers were separately GREAT (not just good), which is why they are the only father and son tandem to BOTH have been inducted into their sport’s Hall of Fame.

Bobby and Brett Hull were BOTH champions. They were BOTH MVPs. They were BOTH statistically among the best to have ever played their sport. And now, they are BOTH in the Hall of Fame.

The Hulls stand alone (together) as the best father and son tandem ever.

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The Biggest NHL Playoff Upset Debate… They Just Kept Going and Going and Going and Going and

May 3, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Sports Geek and Loyal Homer.

Long shot upsets in the playoffs are always exciting when they happen. The toppling of a heavily favored giant sends shockwaves through the entire sport, and excites fans of the proverbial underdog everywhere.

In sports like basketball, the eight over one upset is a very rare occurrence, happening only three times since the league expanded to a 16-team playoff 26 years ago. Each of those upsets was remarkable, augmented by the rarity in which they occurred.

For the NHL, the eight over one upset is not so rare. In fact, when the eight-seeded Montreal Canadiens defeated the Eastern Conference’s top seeded Washington Capitals last weekend they became the ninth team in just 16 years to do so. While that does not diminish the impressive nature of the accomplishment, the seeming regularity with which it occurs tends to take away some of the specialness. And with each new occurrence, the exclusiveness of this club is lost a little more.

Still, there is one team which entered the quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup as an eight seed that holds a claim those other victorious eight seeds cannot – the 2005-2006 Edmonton Oilers.

First, to set the context for just how great this upset was, it is important to consider how the Oilers even reached the playoffs.

To begin with, the Oilers did not claim the eighth and final playoff spot by virtue of their having won more games than the remaining teams in the Western Conference. Instead, it was by virtue of the fact that they at least pushed overtime before losing more of their games. The Vancouver Canucks, residing in the same Northwest Division as Edmonton, actually won more games. But because they had more losses in regulation, they did not receive the necessary points in the standings to finish the season ahead of the Oilers. As a result, they missed out on the playoffs, and it was Edmonton who drew the daunting task of facing-off against a Detroit Red Wings team that was not just the top team in the West, but in the entire NHL.

The Detroit Red Wings had entered the playoffs with a league-leading 58 wins. Offensively, the Red Wings featured players like future Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman, as well as players like Brendan Shanahan (40 goals that season), Henrik Zetterberg (39 goals), Nicklas Lidstrom (64 assists) and Pavel Datsyuk (59 assists). Defensively, they featured one of the league’s top goaltending tandems in Manny Legace, whose 2.19 goals against average was the third best in the entire NHL, and “The Wizard of Os,” Chris Osgood, who had returned to Detroit after becoming a Hockeytown legend in the net for the Red Wings during their reign at the top for much of the 1990s.

This Red Wings team appeared to be on track to win yet another title for Hockeytown, USA, and by all accounts, the Oilers should have posed no challenge. The Red Wings had not lost to the Oilers in regulation all season long, and split the season series with Edmonton at two games apiece. By comparison to the Red Wings offensive leaders, the Oilers featured only one 30-goal scorer in Ryan Smyth (36). In the net, goalie Jussi Markkanen carried with him a goals against average of 3.12 during most of the season before finally being benched in favor of Dwayne Roloson, whom Edmonton had acquired from the Minnesota Wild in a late season trade.

But despite the clear Red Wings advantage on paper, when the puck dropped it was Edmonton who skated their way to victory, taking the series in SIX games (not seven).

So what accomplishment did the 2006 Edmonton Oilers achieve which sets them apart as having completed the greatest eight over one upset in NHL history? It was simple – they didn’t stop after the first round.

Each of the other eight seeds that were fortunate enough to escape the first round of the NHL playoffs subsequently lost their second-round matchup (with the exception of the 2010 Montreal Canadiens, who currently stand tied with the reigning champion Pittsburgh Penguins at 1-1 in the second round). The 2006 Edmonton Oilers are the only team in NHL history to have won multiple playoff series as an eight seed in the tournament after defeating the top team in their conference. That means they are also the only eight seed to upset a fifth seeded team (the San Jose Sharks), and a sixth seeded team (the Anaheim Mighty Ducks). They are the only eight seed to reach the Stanley Cup Finals, and nearly became the only eight seed to WIN the Stanley Cup, as they took the championship series all the way into seven games before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes.

After pulling off an upset just to reach the playoffs, the 2005-2006 Edmonton Oilers defeated the very best that the league had to offer in Detroit, and then followed that victory up with proof that it was no fluke. They extended their season all the way into game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, and until an eight seed can make a run that ends with a Stanley Cup victory, it will remain as the greatest eight over one upset ever!

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The Winter v. Summer Olympics Debate – A Winter Wonderland

February 19, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Babe Ruthless.



I am an Olympics junkie!

Summer or Winter Games, I love them all! There is just something special about watching athletes who have dedicated four years of their lives all as build up to a window of only three to five minutes. Watching as the chosen few who vault into the legendary status of “greatest in the world” get to celebrate the triumphant completion of a life’s work is truly one of the finest payoffs that a sports fan can hope for. When that glorious moment just so happens to be for a compatriot, then all the better!

In the debate of which is better between the two, though, there is no question – the Winter Olympics are unparalleled.

The Summer Olympics may offer a greater variety of games, but it is during the Winter Games that fans are treated to the greatest speeds and highest risks (for all you extreme sports fans), making for the most exciting and entertaining of competitive events.

From Bobsled and Luge to Downhill Skiing to Speed Skating, every one of the events during the Winter Games is designed to test the human ability to master the ice and snow. Often, that mastery manifests itself in jaw-dropping demonstrations of extreme speeds and stunts. Many of the Winter events feature high-flying acrobatics, break-neck speeds, and gravity-defying aerial demonstrations. The Summer Olympics offer none of that (except maybe in Olympic Trampolining – Ooooohhhhh!).

During the Summer Games, the events are usually about who can throw the farthest, or run and jump the best. While those events make for great competition, they simply cannot compete with the thrill that comes from watching your fellow natives sail down a snow-capped mountain at greater than 70 miles per hour. The sharp turns, steep slopes, and lightning speeds create an adrenaline rush that the Summer Games simply cannot compete against. That is what the thrill-seeker in all of us hopes to see – the daring few who are brave enough to push themselves to the limits of safety (and sanity).

As tragic as the death of Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvila is, his accident punctuates the very real danger that exists for those competing during the Winter Olympics. And although fans would never hope for a tragedy such as the one that occurred last Friday, it cannot be denied that the thrill of watching these athletes test themselves (and the laws of physics) in such a death-defying manner creates an added level of attraction. When we see athletes who masterfully execute seemingly superhuman feats, all at the risk of their own well-being, we as fans develop a much greater appreciation for the truly remarkable skills that those athletes possess.

Finally, the Olympics are considered “special.” Why? Because the Olympics are a rare-occurring opportunity for all of the world’s top athletes to congregate in a single exhibition that honors the very best. They are meant to create a sense of “You don’t want to miss this!”… because you know it will not come back any time soon. Yet, it is the Winter Games that seem to embrace the sense of specialness much more than its Summer counterpart.

Perhaps it is because the marquis Summer events are more mainstream. Events like basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, baseball (although it will not be included in future Olympics), track and field, and now golf all seem to receive a great deal of attention in American culture. Fans of those events already have ready access on a yearly basis to watch the best in the world compete. Leagues and organizations such as the NBA, FIFA, MLB, PGA, and the ATP World Tour are permeated with international talent, and it is those same athletes who then participate in the Olympic Games, they just wear different shirts.

If I miss the Olympic Basketball tournament, I can still see those same athletes compete against each other in a couple months. Likewise, if I miss the soccer events I have organizations like the MLS, Premiere League, UEFA, or the FIFA World Cup in order to “get my fix” long before the Olympics roll around again. With the exception of hockey (which may be returning to “amateur only” status after Vancouver), the Winter Olympics presents the only real opportunity for fans to see many of these athletes compete together. If I miss out on watching Speed Skating, Downhill Skiing, or Freestyle Moguls as they unfold, I will not get another chance to see that level of elite competition take place for another four years. I will have missed something special.

These athletes may go on to participate in world championships, but the Winter Olympics is the only time when they get to take center stage. After they are done competing, Shani Davis, Lindsey Vonn, and Apollo Ohno will slip into obscurity for another four years, and it will not be until 2014 that these rarely seen (but nonetheless revered) superstars will resurface for another shot at Olympic gold.

The Summer Olympics may offer quantity, but it is the quality of competition that earns the gold medal for the Winter Games. The Winter Olympics present the perfect combination of athleticism, adrenaline, and rarity to let you know that you are watching something great!

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The NHL and the Olympics Debate – Stop Acting Like Ice-Holes and Do Your Job

February 17, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.



I am going to let you know a dark secret about myself. I am a sucker for reality TV. Really, I am. And not just the mainstream shows that most people watch as guilty pleasures, like American Idol, Big Brother, and the Amazing Race, either. I probably qualify as a hardcore reality TV junkie who is willing to watch the weirdest, trashiest, and saddest shows imaginable (i.e. Who Wants to Be A Superhero?, Real Chance of Love 2: Back in the Saddle, I Know My Kid’s A Star). You know how there are those shows that prompt people to ask “who watches this garbage?” I do! So you can bet if the call ever came asking for Babe Ruthless to be on one of these shows, I would be there in all my cut-throat, win-at-all-cost glory. And you know the Babe would make for some dramatic TV, because I would be the dirtiest player in the game.

But, I digress. The point is, if I was ever asked to participate in a show like Survivor (the holy grail of all reality shows) it would be a dream come true… at least until I checked with my boss. If I asked for a month off from my job to play a game, I would be the laughingstock of the office. So when faced with a similar question, should the NHL release their players to participate in the Olympics, no overtime shootout is necessary. The answer is a resounding no.

This debate was all Bleacher Fan. Bleacher Fan’s argument had one great point after another, proving the NHL has far too much at stake to let their stars continue to participate in the Olympics. Bleacher Fan very astutely explained that, to the NHL, players are investments which need to be protected. He went on to explain that the threat of injury could mean disaster for an NHL team in the championship hunt, not to mention the potential legal nightmare over player negligence that could ensue. I am reminded of Aaron Boone’s injury in a casual game of basketball which put his career as a Yankee, and his entire baseball career, in jeopardy. That too was an unnecessary legal risk. Probably the most meaningful aspect of the winning argument was his assertion that although being a part of the Olympics is an honor, it is not a requirement, like meeting the obligations of one’s NHL contract.

Loyal Homer focused the counter-argument on the “why not?” side of things. He reasoned that the free promotion of NHL players on the grand stage that is the Winter Olympic Games could outweigh potential pitfalls. I agree on that point, but that is about it. Loyal Homer’s analysis that shutting down the NHL season once every four years is only a minor sacrifice is completely off base. As I pointed out in the introduction to this debate, the time that the NHL gives up for the Olympic Games is hugely important. The only other major competing sport during this prime time is the NBA, which allows the NHL to shine a great deal more in a less competitive sports market. Loyal Homer also pointed out that players, such as league MVP Alexander Ovechkin, have indicated they will represent their country regardless of the ramifications. While I admire their national pride, I despise the complete disregard for their commitments and contractual obligations. Whatever happened to a man’s word being his bond? If they honestly want to play in the Olympics then they should, but they should ask to be released from their contracts first instead of holding the league that actually pays their bills hostage. These players’ ultimatums are indeed hostage negotiations, and last time I checked, the U.S. does not negotiate with terrorists.

It honestly would have been fairly easy for Loyal Homer to have convinced me that the patriotic thing to do would be to put your country first. But, unfortunately that route went unexplored. In the end, I say let the NHL play on and the Olympics proceed as normal. But these players must make a choice. In light of recent news, it seems that the NHL is close to making their choice – prohibiting players from participating in future Winter Olympics. The NHL is justified in requiring their players to skip the Olympics considering they have already established a precedent of doing so in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Plus the investment the league has in players like Alexander Ovechkin is far too important to intentionally put in danger for potential exposure. That is why this debate is awarded to Bleacher Fan.

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The NHL and the Olympics Debate – Ice, Ice Maybe?

February 16, 2010

Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.



Olympic hockey. For most Americans those two words immediately conjure up images of the unforgettable American victory over the Soviets during the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games, more fondly remembered as the Miracle on Ice. But for the NHL, Olympic hockey has begun to evoke feelings of stress and apprehension over the potential nightmare situations involving NHL season interruptions and injured stars.

For quite some time NHL players have been able to participate in the Olympics despite their non-amateur status. In recent years, the NHL has put everything on hold to allow its players to represent their native countries during the Olympic Winter Games. This is a huge gesture considering the NHL was giving up prime exposure during a time when the only other competing major domestic professional sport is the NBA. The NHL provided work stoppages – in the interest of good will and cross promotion – for the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan in 1998 and again in 2006 during the games held in Turin, Italy. But NHL officials are wondering just how much publicity they are getting by allowing their players to participate in games halfway around the world (though Vancouver is a little closer this year).

This issue becomes an even bigger deal when you consider that the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement is up for renewal soon, and players are already demanding their release for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Several prominent Russian NHL players have voiced their desire and intention to play in the 2014 game, whether they have the league’s blessing or not. (Wouldn’t you know it? Communism is over and the Russians are still causing problems for us.) Currently the NHL features four Russian players who were among the league’s best scorers last season, including the 2008-2009 MVP Washington Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin.

The protesting Russians are joined in support by Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee, who has spoken out in support of the NHL players’ participation in future Olympic Games, stating, “I think it’s important for the NHL to have their stars shine in the Olympic Games. If you look at the audience of the final game of the Olympic hockey tournament, it matches the final of the Stanley Cup. That is a good promotion for hockey in North America.” NHL team owners may not be inclined to agree.

Enter today’s great debate: Should the NHL suspend operations and release players to participate in the Olympic Games at the expense of the league?

Loyal Homer will extend his regional loyalties to the national level as he argues in favor of suspending the NHL season and letting players represent their native countries. Bleacher Fan, on the other hand, will point out why it should be inarguable for the NHL to suspend the season in order for players to participate in the Olympics.

Who will win this cold war? We will soon learn when our competitors face off at center ice. Remember, make your arguments like me – big, flashy, and, of course ruthless.

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Posted by Babe Ruthless

The NHL and the Olympics Debate – Protecting Your Investments

February 16, 2010

Read the opposing argument from Loyal Homer.



If you were leasing a Cadillac for $650 per month, would you lend it to your 16-year old nephew who was driving cross-country with his buddies on a road trip to Panama City? How about allowing a dog kennel to set up shop in the living room of your newly renovated home for a couple weeks?

When you invest money into a purchase of any kind, you want to do everything in your power to protect it as much as possible.

While I hate to objectify the athletes that play hockey in the NHL, they are all, to a certain degree, investments. The NHL franchises that comprise the league have invested a great deal of time and money into their superstars, and subsequently want to make sure they get solid return on their investments at all times. Part of protecting that investment means that you must sometimes intervene when that investment is at risk of being damaged in any way.

Since 1994, the NHL has allowed its players to leave mid-season in order to represent their respective nations in the Olympic Games. While this is a very exciting opportunity for those athletes, it is a terrible decision for the NHL. Even the NHL Commissioner agrees, at least in part, that it is foolish for the NHL to willingly permit their brightest stars to participate in the Olympic Games in the middle of their own season of competition… a decision they are wisely reconsidering.

I do not blame the hockey players for their desire to represent their nation in the Olympics. Just ask Alexandre Bilodeau what it feels like to become an instant national treasure. The attraction of representing your nation in a world-wide competition is great, and I applaud them for wanting to be a part of that magic.

The problem I have with the situation is that these players have agreed, under contract, to play hockey for a specific NHL franchise. When Sidney Crosby signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, for example, he was committing his professional skills to that franchise. For his services, he gets paid a hefty sum, and everyone is happy.

That is how contract employment works. When players sign on with their respective NHL franchises they have sacrificed the opportunity to compete in any other hockey event during the season. The primary reason that the NHL is wrong to allow their marquis players a hiatus to compete in the Olympics is simple – PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENTS! Crosby could not go compete in the AHL, or in some European hockey league, in the middle of the NHL season. Why should he be given the opportunity to compete in the Olympics?

Just imagine the situation that the Penguins (and the NHL) would be in if Crosby breaks a bone or tears a ligament while skating for Canada over the next two weeks. Crosby still gets his contract, Canada got some glory out of their time with Crosby on the ice, and the Penguins get a high-priced player that they cannot use.

This is precisely the reason that the Olympics were originally created as an exhibition by amateur athletes. The added influence that money can have on a game can complicate a situation exponentially.

Additionally, the NHL is actually ceasing operations for two weeks while the Olympics wrap up, just to accommodate the fact that all of its stars have left for the Winter Games. Now the league must not only sit back and watch as nearly all of their noteworthy players risk injury for an exhibition, but they cannot even continue their own operations in the process.

It is unfortunate that the timing of the Olympics falls when it does. For NBA stars, this problem does not exist because the Summer Olympics traditionally take place in August, two months after the NBA Finals have been concluded. If that were the case with the NHL, there is no problem at all in allowing the stars of the league compete for national pride. But, the NHL and NBA are in different situations. These players, who agreed under contract to represent their respective NHL franchises, have an obligation to respect the contract. Allowing their athletes to needlessly risk injury during the competitive season for an exhibition event that is completely unaffiliated with the NHL is both reckless and irresponsible.

I fully understand the position the players in, and I do not begrudge them for wanting to compete in the Olympics. However, this is a very bad business decision for the NHL, who can only come out of this break as losers.

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Posted by Bleacher Fan

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