The new Super League is going down the tubes.

[MavsFan]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Remember the early days of MTV2, when they regularly ran things like sumo and Australian Rules Football? I can't imagine that advertisers were breaking down their door to advertise on those sports. It was programming. That's the phase Versus is in now.

Actually, I miss sumo and Aussie football, but that's my problem.

 

[Hockey Monk]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Versus had Notre Dame's spring football game on....which is basically a practice. I think ND is the key to all of this and I am not an ND fan fyi.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Credit me if I am wrong but hasn't the BTN already pioneered college hockey games nationally?

Theoretically no. Previous BTN scheduled programming of college hockey has been vastly limited to a few selected games among Big Ten opponents with little vision for expansion and advertising sponsorship. The launch of the Big Ten Hockey Conference facilitates 1) the branding capability of the Big Ten name among college sports fans, 2) the national market feasibility of college hockey, 3) the expansion of the BTN footprint in new geographical regions with market potential demographics, and 4) the justification of increased cable rights fees and advertising revenue.

By jumping into the college hockey media market as early as this season, NBC/Versus is strategically positioning themselves to establish their own college hockey footprint in advance of the launch of BTHC by BTN. NBC/Versus is vehemently battling media competition to maximize the value of both their cable assets and their network sports division to present some stiff competition for not only BTN but also ESPN. When it comes to hockey, college or pro, IMHO ESPN has effectively hindered market growth potential by their demonstrated lack of interest as a sports network for way too long. That reluctance to fully engage the hockey market in America (vs. basketball or football) is essentially why NBC/Versus outbid them for the largest TV deal in NHL history. The NHL didn't even return the call on ESPN's final offer which was to broadcast only "one" game per week which would have inevitably landed on ESPN2. NBC countered with an offer to broadcast 100 games/season until 2021 (about 3-4 G/wk) and sealed the deal with a $2 billion price tag.

The merger of Comcast/NBC/Versus along with their family of networks makes this one huge monster of a company with some pretty deep pockets. And Comcast has stated on the heels of their NHL contract that they too want to jump on the sports network trend by adding more sports properties on Versus to build up their sports assets. It seems the reason so many media moguls are clamoring for sports content is because live sports have become the most valuable programming on television among males between the ages of 18-44 and of course prospective advertisers just drool over the revenue possibilities. Last year, the vast majority of the highest rated sports telecasts in the 18 to 49 year old demographic were live. This particular demographic among NHL viewers is currently measured at 79%, which is apparently encouraging NBC's expansion into college hockey as well.

FWIW, it's also important to keep in mind that the NHL deal with NBC includes a multiplatform component to implement broadband and mobile applications to help reach the above demographic who also use nonlinear media platforms much more frequently today. A burgeoning concept called TV Everywhere, will allow its subscribers to stream a traditional linear TV platform to nonlinear platforms such as computers and mobile devices. It would not surprise me to see NBC/Versus also expand college hockey into the nonlinear media platform universe as well when they sign the deal with the NCHC.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Interesting and very thorough article out of St. Cloud.

http://www.sctimes.com/article/2011...eful-strong-future-despite-conference-changes

Reading between the lines it sounds like SCSU's president Earl "Harry" Potter has been receiving a ton of flak from his big donors and is now singing a different tune than a few weeks ago. Pretty clearly Potter didn't want to spend the money on travel, but now he's finding out that the travel costs are a drop in the bucket compared to upset seven figure donors.

Its always fun to watch know-it-all college presidents get slapped around by the alumni after they start screwing around with the Athletic Department.

The article also inferred that the NCHC's original plan was to was to include ND, UND, DU, CC, BC, BU, Miami & UNO. Duluth was added when they changed their mind about the travel and BC & BU dropped out.

 

[Almington]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Interesting and very thorough article out of St. Cloud.

http://www.sctimes.com/article/2011...eful-strong-future-despite-conference-changes

Reading between the lines it sounds like SCSU's president Earl "Harry" Potter has been receiving a ton of flak from his big donors and is now singing a different tune than a few weeks ago. Pretty clearly Potter didn't want to spend the money on travel, but now he's finding out that the travel costs are a drop in the bucket compared to upset seven figure donors.

Its always fun to watch know-it-all college presidents get slapped around by the alumni after they start screwing around with the Athletic Department.

The article also inferred that the NCHC's original plan was to was to include ND, UND, DU, CC, BC, BU, Miami & UNO. Duluth was added when they changed their mind about the travel and BC & BU dropped out.

I suspect that Duluth was added when ND wouldn't commit right away and they couldn't convince any eastern teams that adding 6 flights a year was a good idea.
UMD was needed because the NCHC needed a 6th team to make an announcement, UMD holds firm with the other MN schools and this is a totally different discussion (I suspect that we'd still be waiting for ND to make a decision to have any announcement.

 

[Skeeterman]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

This league is already down the tubes.

 

[dggoddard]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I suspect that Duluth was added when ND wouldn't commit right away and they couldn't convince any eastern teams that adding 6 flights a year was a good idea.
UMD was needed because the NCHC needed a 6th team to make an announcement, UMD holds firm with the other MN schools and this is a totally different discussion (I suspect that we'd still be waiting for ND to make a decision to have any announcement.

From everything we've heard Notre Dame had already made their decision when the league was announced. Likely Duluth could of shoehorned SCSU into the NCHC in a "package deal" but Harry Potter wanted no part of it. I'd go so far to say that Duluth really wanted SCSU to come along.

SCSU would not of had that much extra travel in the National.

SCSU would bus to North Dakota, Duluth, Omaha and all non-conference games in Minnesota. Flights to Colorado twice, Notre Dame and Ohio. As it is, they might have to fly to Alaska twice and perhaps some brutal bus rides to Michigan. One of the Alaska trips may be partially subsidized, but they still will require lots of time, effort and $$$.

 

[First Time Long Time]

From everything we've heard Notre Dame had already made their decision when the league was announced. Likely Duluth could of shoehorned SCSU into the NCHC in a "package deal" but Harry Potter wanted no part of it.

SCSU would not of had that much extra travel in the National.

SCSU would bus to North Dakota, Duluth, Omaha and all non-conference games in Minnesota. Flights to Colorado twice, Notre Dame and Ohio. As it is, they might have to fly to Alaska twice and perhaps some brutal bus rides to Michigan. The Alaska trips may be subsidized, but they still will require lots of time and effort and could end up costing $$$.

Time and effort they are already used to and yes they will be subsidized. It's likely the only way the WCHA allows UA into the league.
St. Cloud is facing a 5 million dollar shortfall thanks to budget cuts so not having to pay for two trips is a big deal.

Harry Potter....how clever...

 

[UMDSimmerdown]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Time and effort they are already used to and yes they will be subsidized. It's likely the only way the WCHA allows UA into the league.
St. Cloud is facing a 5 million dollar shortfall thanks to budget cuts so not having to pay for two trips is a big deal.

Who is going to subsidize them though? The WCHA won't have as much money in the coffer once the changes take place. Do UAA or UAF have extra money to fly the other schools out to them? I guess I've never understood the travel arrangements of the Alaska schools. Anyone have inside info as to how it all works? To be honest when all the realignment talks came up and everyone though BGSU and Ferris would be on the chopping block I though the two Alaska schools were the most likely candidates because you need big conferences with big money to absorb the travel costs.

 

[ecbrevik]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

From everything we've heard Notre Dame had already made their decision when the league was announced. Likely Duluth could of shoehorned SCSU into the NCHC in a "package deal" but Harry Potter wanted no part of it. I'd go so far to say that Duluth really wanted SCSU to come along.

SCSU would not of had that much extra travel in the National.

SCSU would bus to North Dakota, Duluth, Omaha and all non-conference games in Minnesota. Flights to Colorado twice, Notre Dame and Ohio. As it is, they might have to fly to Alaska twice and perhaps some brutal bus rides to Michigan. One of the Alaska trips may be partially subsidized, but they still will require lots of time, effort and $$$.

I could actually see travel expenses having nothing to do with SCSU's decision. SCSU may not be interested in the NCHC because they see a much clearer path to league championships and the NCAA tourny through the new WCHA. The NCHC is grabbing up schools who are used to competing for NCAA slots. Not all of those schools NCHC schools are going to be able to continue to grab NCAA slots, half of them have to finish in the bottom half of the league. If SCSU sees winning as the key to putting people in the stands and bringing money into the program, they may see the WCHA as making more sense for them going forward.

 

[ecbrevik]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Who is going to subsidize them though? The WCHA won't have as much money in the coffer once the changes take place. Do UAA or UAF have extra money to fly the other schools out to them? I guess I've never understood the travel arrangements of the Alaska schools. Anyone have inside info as to how it all works? To be honest when all the realignment talks came up and everyone though BGSU and Ferris would be on the chopping block I though the two Alaska schools were the most likely candidates because you need big conferences with big money to absorb the travel costs.

UAA and UAF subsidize the travel to Alaska for their conference members, not the WCHA and CCHA. As long as the Alaska schools continue to do so, traveling to Alaska isn't a budget-breaker for their fellow schools. I do believe the arrangement that UAA has with the WCHA is a bit different than the one UAF has with the CCHA. But they both subsidize travel.

 

[bronconick]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Who is going to subsidize them though? The WCHA won't have as much money in the coffer once the changes take place. Do UAA or UAF have extra money to fly the other schools out to them? I guess I've never understood the travel arrangements of the Alaska schools. Anyone have inside info as to how it all works? To be honest when all the realignment talks came up and everyone though BGSU and Ferris would be on the chopping block I though the two Alaska schools were the most likely candidates because you need big conferences with big money to absorb the travel costs.

My 12th hand understanding is that the two schools purchase a set amount of tickets to their conference mates, somewhere between 20 and 25, and if you wanted to bring a bunch of reserves in addition to 20-21 skaters/coaches/trainer, the visiting school had to buy them themselves.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Likely Duluth could of shoehorned SCSU into the NCHC in a "package deal" but Harry Potter wanted no part of it. I'd go so far to say that Duluth really wanted SCSU to come along.

SCSU would not of had that much extra travel in the National.

Have you heard that Duluth wanted SCSU to come along? I'm of the opinion UMD was in this from day one. Frankly, I see not including SCSU as a mistake. The only thing Miami has over SCSU is the slim potential that it convinces ND to join.

I could actually see travel expenses having nothing to do with SCSU's decision. SCSU may not be interested in the NCHC because they see a much clearer path to league championships and the NCAA tourny through the new WCHA.

Doubt that. If true, SCSU would be pretty much the only school I'm aware of at any division who has preferred staying in a weaker division...esp as SCSU could compete day in and day out based on 8 seasons of 22 win hockey.

 

[4four4]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Who cares about the ads.

Clearly NBC is driving the bus and they probably want Friday night college hockey telecasts on Versus to pimp NHL hockey, Notre Dame football and other NBC weekend programing.

IMO, they are sadly better off with signing the EPL from August to May, at least their viewership is up year to year. Mark my words that will be a monster in the U.S. within ten to fifteen years. BTW, go Reds!!

 

[dggoddard]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Have you heard that Duluth wanted SCSU to come along? I'm of the opinion UMD was in this from day one. Frankly, I see not including SCSU as a mistake. The only thing Miami has over SCSU is the slim potential that it convinces ND to join.

Doubt that. If true, SCSU would be pretty much the only school I'm aware of at any division who has preferred staying in a weaker division...esp as SCSU could compete day in and day out based on 8 seasons of 22 win hockey.

Miami, DU & CC were a package deal. Get one, get 'em all.

I never heard that Duluth wanted SCSU along. We do know that Harry Potter was steadfastly against it, the AD had one foot out the door and its unclear what Gino Gasparini's advise was, but he was hired back on Feb. 25 to advise them.

Duluth was an 11th hour addition after BC & BU pulled out. UMD was not interested in joining the new conference back in March because of the travel costs. After they won the NC and Scotty received overtures from Penn State probably changed things.

HUSKY ATHLETICS: John "Gino" Gasparini named special advisor to the president for athletics

Friday, February 25, 2011

Gino Gasparini

St. Cloud, Minn. – St. Cloud State University President Earl Potter today announced that legendary hockey coach John “Gino” Gasparini has been appointed special advisor to the president for athletics starting March 1.

Potter said Gasparini, who spent decades at the University of North Dakota and leading the United States Hockey League (USHL), will work with the existing athletics staff and the Athletic Advisory Panel to create a new and expanded vision for the future of Husky athletics.

The position is funded by the St. Cloud State University Foundation.

Among other things, Potter said, Gasparini will focus on Division I programs, the expansion and redevelopment of the National Hockey and Event Center (NHEC), the anticipated changes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), fan, donor and sponsor experience and the connection between Husky athletics and the community.

Gasparini’s insights as a former athletic director at UND, depth of understanding in the hockey world, reputation and relationships will be invaluable “as we work to elevate the stature of Husky athletics regionally and nationally,” Potter said.

“We are engaging Gino who has decades of experience with first class-athletic operations as we’re building a new and renovated facility,” said Potter. “We will seek his insight and he will work with us to help shape the future of Husky Hockey and our overall athletic programs.”

St. Cloud State is in the planning stages of a $31.1 million renovation and addition project for the National Hockey Center. The 20-year old structure, on the south end of the university campus, will be renovated and expanded into a regional events center and multipurpose venue for hosting sporting events, concerts, family shows and other campus and community events.

“I have known Gino for the past 25 years and have always enjoyed working with him,” said Morris Kurtz, director of athletics. “The characteristics that enabled him to be successful as both an athletic director and coach will make him a valuable addition here at St. Cloud State.”

Gasparini, currently a sports facility consultant for JLG Architects which has designed the NHEC project, builds business models to coordinate and design venues for communities, higher education institutions and professional sports teams.

Gasparini said he’s excited to help shape the future of St. Cloud State athletics. “When I first met President Potter I loved his vision for where he would like to see hockey and the National Hockey and Event Center go, as well as the athletic department and the impact in the community and the state. I was inspired by that vision. The renovation and expansion of the NHEC will have a major impact, not only for the athletic department, but for the entire university and State of Minnesota.”

 

[Skeeterman]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Time and effort they are already used to and yes they will be subsidized. It's likely the only way the WCHA allows UA into the league.
St. Cloud is facing a 5 million dollar shortfall thanks to budget cuts so not having to pay for two trips is a big deal.

Harry Potter....how clever...

But he's no wizard.

 

[willythekid]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Did I miss something? I didn't think jan was invited to this party...

 

[dggoddard]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Did I miss something? I didn't think jan was invited to this party...

Jan didn't want to go to the party. Then she found out all the cool kids received invites. After the party was held she said, "I wouldn't of attended even if invited."

Now she's saying, "I want a do-over. Please host the party again."

“I can understand if they were disappointed by the news. Truly, I do understand,” St. Cloud State President Earl H. Potter III said of St. Cloud State fans’ reaction to five more teams leaving the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in 2013.

“I can understand their anger, and they’re looking for somebody to blame. I can understand their anger at me and their hard questions saying, ‘Why did you do this and why did you let this happen?’ I understand that.

“I have to stay in a position where I’m working very hard for success with the WCHA but never get stubborn about our position and always be open to looking at our options as things change,” Potter said.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

Jan didn't want to go to the party. Then she found out all the cool kids received invites. After the party was held she said, "I wouldn't of attended even if invited."

Now she's saying, "I want a do-over. Please host the party again."

I know SCSU said they weren't going to join under any circumstances...but that was after the league had been announced and they weren't invited. I have no evidence that if invited early that they would have declined.

Why in the world would DU, CC make Miami's participation manditory? Are they part of the same cricket league or something?

 

[MUhawks628]

Re: The new Super League is going down the tubes.

I know SCSU said they weren't going to join under any circumstances...but that was after the league had been announced and they weren't invited. I have no evidence that if invited early that they would have declined.

Why in the world would DU, CC make Miami's participation manditory? Are they part of the same cricket league or something?

No connections between Gwoz and Rico/Miami whatsoever . Not that I think that is a good enough reason to demand including Miami, not complaning though if it's the reason we are at the table.