In fact, the 2026 semis were only on ESPN-Plus - that is, streamed only - and the final was on ESPNU.Originally, the semifinals were slated for Friday, March 19, with the final being played March 21. Committee members’ rationale for making the change is to have all three games of the Women’s Frozen Four televised on ESPN’s linear channels.
We are grateful to our host, Minnesota Duluth, for its continued commitment to delivering a first-class championship experience for student-athletes
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So this implies that all 3 games were NOT going to be on ESPN's linear channels? They are saying a 75% reduction in attendance is worth being on ESPN's linear channels. Whose taking off 3 days of work to attend this?
A first class championship experience in an empty arena?
Well at least you can pull the trigger at the last moment and score some cheap tickets when Wisconsin makes the final.Originally, the semifinals were slated for Friday, March 19, with the final being played March 21. Committee members’ rationale for making the change is to have all three games of the Women’s Frozen Four televised on ESPN’s linear channels.
We are grateful to our host, Minnesota Duluth, for its continued commitment to delivering a first-class championship experience for student-athletes
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So this implies that all 3 games were NOT going to be on ESPN's linear channels? They are saying a 75% reduction in attendance is worth being on ESPN's linear channels. Whose taking off 3 days of work to attend this?
A first class championship experience in an empty arena?
Yeah but streaming is a way of life right now. It will be a bad optic to play in an empty building.being on a network is better than streaming only and being on a broadcast network would be even better. Keep growing the game and it will happen.
Yeah but streaming is a way of life right now. It will be a bad optic to play in an empty building.
The Frozen Four semifinal last season at Penn State set a tournament single-game record for attendance. If that can happen at Penn State, in a small city in the middle of nowhere (no disrespect to the Amish), it's not about what city the tournament is played in.As far as empty arenas, maybe it's time for the NCAA to start going to pwhl cities that can draw 8k+ for a women's hockey game
The Frozen Four semifinal last season at Penn State set a tournament single-game record for attendance. If that can happen at Penn State, in a small city in the middle of nowhere (no disrespect to the Amish), it's not about what city the tournament is played in.
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