The new Super League is going down the tubes.

[4four4]

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

Doubtful. What revenue is there to be shared in college hockey?

TV college hockey contracts are basically break-even or loss-leader propositions. The conference tournament revenue will in large part be used to fund the referees, travel and league office.

Notre Dame's TV Network is going to largely be internet based, so doubtful that will draw many eyeballs for college hockey.

The funny part in all this all the high school hockey powers in the state of Minnesota get better ratings on FSN than almost every college program in the country.

 

[4four4]

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

What you posted above is absurd. We're talking about college hockey, not hiring a good looking hooker.

You also need to get your facts straight. The Versus Network was mentioned a possible NCHC media outlet according to an article in the Duluth Times-Tribune.

We all agree the Versus network will be showing every league including the LCHC on their network it will not be the LCHC alone.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

That is fine they will all be welcomed back on the Gopher bandwagon again. It happens all the time kid goes to MSU, St. Cloud, UMD etc. and they cheer for them when school is over and they come back to Mpls for a job they follow the Gophers again.

Really? Because I don't know of any such instance where that happened. That must be why Mariucci is always so full.

 

[Jimjamesak]

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

What you posted above is absurd. We're talking about college hockey, not hiring a good looking hooker.

Absurd? How is that absurd? Any and all college athletics is about money, any sport needs to justify it's use of precious funding or, to quote, "No bucks, no Buck Rogers." and this is especially true at a school like Notre Dame, who just spent good money on a new arena they'll need to pay the upkeep on.

And the fact still remains, the NCHC needs a face for the conference. You need someone that brings fans, brings media attention, brings sponsors, gives recruits a reason to play there. And, quite frankly, North Dakota, Denver, Miami, Minnesota-Duluth, Colorado College, and Nebraska-Omaha don't exactly tick up the meters. Again, when you need a face, and at this point the NCHC is probably a bit desperate, it comes at a high cost

You also need to get your facts straight. The Versus Network was mentioned a possible NCHC media outlet according to an article in the Duluth Times-Tribune.

Oh I had my facts straight. You see, Comcast owns 51% of NBC Universal, Comcast also owns Versus (not The Versus Network) which is now part of the NBC Sports division and on January 2nd will be named NBC Sports Network. Notre Dame is in the midst of a contract with NBC who *gasp* owns Versus!

 

[dggoddard]

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

Absurd? How is that absurd? Any and all college athletics is about money, any sport needs to justify it's use of precious funding or, to quote, "No bucks, no Buck Rogers." and this is especially true at a school like Notre Dame, who just spent good money on a new arena they'll need to pay the upkeep on.

Notre Dame is swimming in cash. According to Forbes, ND football kicks back $21 million to the school after funding the entire freaking athletic department.

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112007aag.html

Notre Dame didn't pay for the arena, donations from alumni built the arena.

Like many of the BCS powers, Notre Dame uses its football money to fund the rest of the Athletic Department. I doubt that ice hockey program has ever been self-sufficient. The new arena may help them break even, but either way, they don't need the money.

Here's a list of Nore Dame sports. Besides Men's Hoops & Football, the rest would bring in virtually no revenue.

Men's Sports

* Baseball
* Basketball
* Cross Country
* Fencing
* Football
* Golf
* Hockey
* Lacrosse
* Soccer
* Swimming & Diving
* Tennis
* Track & Field

Women's Sports

* Basketball
* Cross Country
* Fencing
* Golf
* Lacrosse
* Rowing
* Soccer
* Softball
* Swimming & Diving
* Tennis
* Track & Field
* Volleyball

 

[Jimjamesak]

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

Notre Dame is swimming in cash. According to Forbes, ND football kicks back $21 million to the school after funding the entire freaking athletic department.

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112007aag.html

Notre Dame didn't pay for the arena, donations from alumni built the arena.

Like many of the BCS powers, Notre Dame uses its football money to fund the rest of the Athletic Department. I doubt that ice hockey program has ever been self-sufficient.

Here's a list of Nore Dame sports. Besides Men's Hoops & Football, the rest would bring in virtually no revenue.

And they see an opportunity to bring in more money or cut losses by going independent or fleecing some small time schools out of some cash and they're just gonna pass?

Get it through your head: Everything is about money. Nobody is going to turn down an opportunity to make money in college athletics. The NCHC has a need in Notre Dame and Notre Dame almost certainly sees an opportunity to make some cash on it or otherwise they would've joined in already.

 

[MinnesotaNorthStar]

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

The NCHC does not need a national face. Hockey is a niche sport. Casual sports fans are not going to tune in to a Michigan/Ohio St hockey game any more than a North Dakota/Denver game. A casual HOCKEY fan (who, let's face it, this sport needs to be marketed to before we can even think about casual sports fans) is going to tune in to the ND/DU game.

North Dakota and Denver are all the face the NCHC needs. If hockey ever becomes a truly national sport, then yes, Jimjamesak would be right, the NCHC would NEED Notre Dame. It's not, so they don't.

 

[burd]

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

Notre Dame is swimming in cash. According to Forbes, ND football kicks back $21 million to the school after funding the entire freaking athletic department.

http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112007aag.html

Notre Dame didn't pay for the arena, donations from alumni built the arena.

Alums probably get solicitation mail made to look like offering plates.

Remember your alma mater and, by the way, keep in mind you're gonna die some day.

 

[uaafanblog]

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

North Dakota and Denver are all the face the NCHC needs.

 

[Priceless]

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

Notre Dame is swimming in cash.

The new arena may help them break even, but either way, they don't need the money.

That's why rich people stand on street corners to give their money away...they've already made enough and don't need to make more.

 

[4four4]

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

Really? Because I don't know of any such instance where that happened. That must be why Mariucci is always so full.

We only have two years? Right?

 

[giwan]

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

We only have two years? Right?

And by then Notre Dame will take football into the Big Ten Super Conference and hockey will follow.

 

[4four4]

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

The NCHC does not need a national face. Hockey is a niche sport. Casual sports fans are not going to tune in to a Michigan/Ohio St hockey game any more than a North Dakota/Denver game. A casual HOCKEY fan (who, let's face it, this sport needs to be marketed to before we can even think about casual sports fans) is going to tune in to the ND/DU game.

Before the BTN and the BTHC your statement would be correct, now all bets are off and we will see more casual fans watching the Big Ten. I guarantee we will see Big Ten hockey viewership go up after the Big Ten forms hockey. I am not saying we are going to see a huge increase but places like Illinois, Indiana etc. are more likely to waste a night watching hockey because there is nothing else on television than they might have before because the games were not on television. I have even caught my self watching LAX on the BTN between bites or cleaning the garage while it is on. IMO, we will not see much of a change for at least 7 to 10 years.

 

[4four4]

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

And by then Notre Dame will take football into the Big Ten Super Conference and hockey will follow.

With all this recent conference change I wouldn't be suprised.

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

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

Notre Dame didn't pay for the arena, donations from alumni built the arena.

Actually, the biggest donor has no ties whatsoever to the University. Just a college sports fan, who, IIRC, also donated to Duke or Georgetown or somewhere without having any ties whatsoever to that school.

I'll now let all of you get back to that dead horse so you can continue the flogging...

 

[MUhawks628]

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

Actually, the biggest donor has no ties whatsoever to the University. Just a college sports fan, who, IIRC, also donated to Duke or Georgetown or somewhere without having any ties whatsoever to that school.

I'll now let all of you get back to that dead horse so you can continue the flogging...

Life must be good for that individual.

 

[Osorojo]

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

That's why rich people stand on street corners to give their money away...they've already made enough and don't need to make more.

Yup. The trickle down theory comes to college hockey.

 

[Happy]

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

The NCHC does not need a national face. Hockey is a niche sport. Casual sports fans are not going to tune in to a Michigan/Ohio St hockey game any more than a North Dakota/Denver game. A casual HOCKEY fan (who, let's face it, this sport needs to be marketed to before we can even think about casual sports fans) is going to tune in to the ND/DU game.

North Dakota and Denver are all the face the NCHC needs. If hockey ever becomes a truly national sport, then yes, Jimjamesak would be right, the NCHC would NEED Notre Dame. It's not, so they don't.

Mid-Major.

 

[Skeeterman]

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

This league will continue down the tubes. The only thing that will save it is when SCSU accepts their invitation---but they may have to beg the Huskies to join.

 

[HarleyMC]

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

The NCHC does not need a national face. Hockey is a niche sport. Casual sports fans are not going to tune in to a Michigan/Ohio St hockey game any more than a North Dakota/Denver game. A casual HOCKEY fan (who, let's face it, this sport needs to be marketed to before we can even think about casual sports fans) is going to tune in to the ND/DU game.

North Dakota and Denver are all the face the NCHC needs. If hockey ever becomes a truly national sport, then yes, Jimjamesak would be right, the NCHC would NEED Notre Dame. It's not, so they don't.

MNS you obviously don't understand the current robust nature of the US sports media market. The point is there is NO cash cow unless the NCHC has a national media contract, period. As the UND AD stated shortly after the conference was formed, one of the MAIN reasons they formed it was to acquire a national media contract similar to the BTN. If they don't accomplish this goal, I fail to see the point of seceding from the WCHA. BTW, there's little doubt that a Mich/OSU game would draw much higher ratings than a UND/DU game because of the historic rivalry between the two schools in all sports.

Plain and simple, UND and DU do not have the aggregate national brand recognition to justify RSN rights fee increases with a Versus college hockey TV package amidst one of the most robust sports media markets to date. Recent media rights increases due to this season of inking unprecedented college football (eg. ACC, Pac-12, SEC) and professional sports media contacts (eg. NHL and others) has resulted in a market bubble as each seemingly new deal make the others look obsolete. I highly doubt Versus will take the plunge with the NCHC in a college hockey niche media market with UND and DU as the national ratings draw. This isn't quantum theory. That would inevitably result in an unmitigated media disaster as these two schools are basically no-names on the national stage.

And the fact still remains, the NCHC needs a face for the conference...Oh I had my facts straight. You see, Comcast owns 51% of NBC Universal, Comcast also owns Versus (not The Versus Network) which is now part of the NBC Sports division and on January 2nd will be named NBC Sports Network. Notre Dame is in the midst of a contract with NBC who *gasp* owns Versus!

Agreed, Notre Dame has the national brand recognition or "the face" that the NCHC needs to ink a national media contract and bring some credibility to the inception of the conference in the first place. Talk about butt hurt, not having a national media package (which is why I think they chose "National") would raise suspicions regarding the legitimacy of the conference.

I'm personally leaning more toward ND going independent, retrofitting their hockey program into their current contract with NBC and later adding their hockey program package into their new ND network media platform, perhaps around 2015 when they negotiate a new contract with NBC.

Notre Dame's TV Network is going to largely be internet based, so doubtful that will draw many eyeballs for college hockey.

This is not one of your more stellar comments dg. The cable industry's current push for the "TV Everywhere" concept, in which cable subscribers can stream channels to computers and mobile devices has created a whole new venue of sports properties rights for sale on the open market. ESPN executives have gone so far as to state they will not even consider any rights deal unless it includes the broadband and mobile rights to support TV Everywhere. I see these new revenue streams of broadband and mobile applications driven by three things: 1) the current escalation and robust financial climate of sports media rights fees, 2) market demographics that indicate live sports has experienced exponential growth in sports programming across the board, and 3) market demographics that indicate more people sit in front of their computers and mobile devices today than ever before. With ND's national brand recognition, it's entirely feasible for ND to go independent in hockey and increase their viewership which would in turn substantially increase subscribers fees under a multiplatform deal with NBC sports and their RSNs.