Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.
IMO, the media link is the missing piece of the puzzle that essential validates the creation of the SL and distinguishes it's vision from the WCHA. One thing for sure, the conglomerate merger of Versus/NBC/Comcast positioned NBC Sports Network to be the new contender on the block with ESPN for sports broadcast rights in the US.
Their commitment to expand the hockey media market in the US was clearly reflected in the 10 year/$2 billion dollar media deal inked in April between NBC Sports Group and the NHL. The deal was clearly historical for both the NHL and NBC Sports. It basically doubled the number of televised NHL games in their previous NHL broadcast package. Bettman labeled it, "...the most significant U.S. media rights partnership in the leagues history". Why such a monster contract if as Scooby often says, no one watches NHL hockey?
Contrary to what some people think, "...overall NHL television ratings in the United States increased by 84 percent over the last four years, and this year's Winter Classic was the most-watched regular season hockey game in the U.S. in 36 years". More people in the US are tuning into hockey than ever before. Versus boasted its highest regular-season viewership this season, a 17 percent jump over last season. The numbers I saw indicated the NHL was on track to setting a new revenue record of over 2.9 billion dollars.
Bettman and Ebersol's (NBC) vision is to strategically target and catalyze the growth of NHL hockey viewership in key hockey markets throughout the US. Could NBC be persuaded to adopt a vision that includes investing in the college hockey media market generated by the Super League? I tend to think there's a good possibility the SL will get some kind of unprecedented deal worked out. Notre Dame could be halfway in the door of the SL already for all we know.
If bigwigs in hockey and television broadcasting think that additional college hockey broadcasts nationwide are the ticket to expansion of hockey viewing in general, then I'm all for it. Anything that gets more college hockey on television is great by me, but I'm a bit skeptical.
Instead, I'm more afraid this is some sort of brand differentiation move on the part of the moving schools, at the expense of some of the smaller schools in their conferences.
First we had the status quo, then the BTHC conference forms. It's a "new and improved product." Everyone oohs and aahs. Everything else is old, stale and in comparison, not as good.
Now these six programs join forces, and for better or worse (and true or not true) are now joined with the BTHC as being the "haves" of college hockey, leaving behind the "have nots."
From a marketing standpoint, and regardless as to what tv contracts are signed, what cable packages contain what networks, this move would have to be termed an initial success for those teams that have signaled an intent to move. They are, for now, included in the upper echelon of college hockey discussion, far removed from most of the rest of college hockey programs. They have stolen some of the BTHC's thunder. When the two new conferences form, during the same season, everyone in the hockey world will be talking about them jointly, and their joint effect on the rest of college hockey. They won't just be talking about the new BTHC.
Two problems. It comes at a terrible cost to college hockey. Second, since when can you trust marketing people?
) will both have a need for many n/c games to fill out thier schedule, a perfect match for both conferences. Now the Sue will be able to play the rodents and Badgers every year no problem. They could do 2 game home and home series and still have room to schedule some cupcakes, besides the rodents anyway. 
