Post by minnesota on Apr 1, 2008 21:56:01 GMT -5
From today's New York Times. Next year I won't have to subscribe to NHL Center Ice on cable. Between Versus, the dozen or so Dallas Stars games I see on cable, and Hawks games on WGN I'll get my annual hockey fix.
April 1, 2008, 12:45 pm
Blackhawks to Televise All Games, Join 20th Century
By Stu Hackel
For decades, the Chicago Blackhawks were ridiculed both in the Windy City and around the sports world for refusing to televise their home games. Former owner Bill Wirtz reasoned that TV would keep fans away from Chicago Stadium and then the United Center, which would not only erode ticket sales, but also the parking and concession businesses, which Wirtz controlled. Critics pointed out that Wirtz’s obstinance cost him a chance to get potential fans to sample the games, which would lead to better home attendance, but he never budged.
Now with Wirtz having passed away last September and new leadership in place, team chairman Rocky Wirtz and president John McDonough are set to announce today that all Blackhawks games next season — home and road — will be televised.
When the younger Wirtz and McDonough took over earlier this season, they began televising home games through their cable TV partner, Comcast SportsNet, calling the telecasts “GAME ON! The Home Series,” and with tomorrow’s telecast of the game vs. the Red Wings, they will have shown a dozen home games this year.
The Hawks will also resume televising games over the air next season. The Chicago Tribune is reporting that as many as 20 games next year will be shown on WGN-Ch 9, which televised the Hawks during their glory days of the ’60s and early ’70s.
April 1, 2008, 12:45 pm
Blackhawks to Televise All Games, Join 20th Century
By Stu Hackel
For decades, the Chicago Blackhawks were ridiculed both in the Windy City and around the sports world for refusing to televise their home games. Former owner Bill Wirtz reasoned that TV would keep fans away from Chicago Stadium and then the United Center, which would not only erode ticket sales, but also the parking and concession businesses, which Wirtz controlled. Critics pointed out that Wirtz’s obstinance cost him a chance to get potential fans to sample the games, which would lead to better home attendance, but he never budged.
Now with Wirtz having passed away last September and new leadership in place, team chairman Rocky Wirtz and president John McDonough are set to announce today that all Blackhawks games next season — home and road — will be televised.
When the younger Wirtz and McDonough took over earlier this season, they began televising home games through their cable TV partner, Comcast SportsNet, calling the telecasts “GAME ON! The Home Series,” and with tomorrow’s telecast of the game vs. the Red Wings, they will have shown a dozen home games this year.
The Hawks will also resume televising games over the air next season. The Chicago Tribune is reporting that as many as 20 games next year will be shown on WGN-Ch 9, which televised the Hawks during their glory days of the ’60s and early ’70s.