Brett Hull surprised by Tiger Woods' remarks about hockey
Adam Proteau
2008-06-04 16:06:14
There were many people in the NHL community who were floored and angered Monday when golf superstar Tiger Woods told reporters “I don’t think anybody watches hockey anymore.”
And you can most assuredly count Dallas Stars co-GM Brett Hull among those who were most shocked.
“It’s unfortunate that he would say that, because there’s a guy I really admire,” Hull told THN.com Wednesday. “I look to him as a Wayne Gretzky type of person that always does the right things and says the right things, not only for his sport but as an ambassador for sport in general.
Woods’ insults seemed particularly baffling to Hull given his previous experience meeting the world’s No. 1 golfer when Hull was still an active player for the Stars.
“I remember him coming into (Dallas’) dressing room with (fellow golfer) Mark O’Meara in ’99, when we were in the conference final against Colorado,” Hull said. “He seemed to be a hockey fan then, and I know he’s played golf with Wayne before, so I’m really surprised he said that.”
Hull also told THN he wouldn’t be able to participate in the NHL’s upcoming goalie equipment working group scheduled to meet June 11 in Toronto, as he was needed by the Stars to help with a new arena being built for the organization’s American League affiliate in Austin, Texas.
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-06-10 13:15:35)
Maverick: Thanks! At least my second choice was accurate (I should have such luck with women. . .but that's another story for another website!)
ben kleiss (Posted 2008-06-09 16:28:10)
i think tiger was completely out of line. He took 2 months off for a knee injury and any hockey player would stick it out til the seasons done. Tigers a phenomenal golfer, but a retard and a douche
Rob M (Posted 2008-06-09 09:39:48)
I am pretty sure Woods was joking around when he said that. He is in fact a real life friend of Gretzky's. I think this being blown out of proportion.
allan knight (Posted 2008-06-08 19:51:26)
I love the game of golf, and if a professional hockey star were to say that no one watches golf any more it would not phase me.
Maverick (Posted 2008-06-07 16:43:02)
Jim Reinceke my man, LOL means laugh out loud. It's ok though. Someone's got to learn these aconyms, right?
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-06-07 11:32:51)
As I was always told that there is no such thing as a stupid question (yeah, right. . .just ask one, and someone is sure to tell you "That's a stupid question!"), but I've always had to have my curiosity satisfied when I see something that puzzles me, so will someone please enlighten me about this: On at least two of these posts and on countless others at this website, I've seen the acronym LOL. Well please pardon my abysmal ignorance but what exactly does that stand for? Lots of Luck? Laugh out Loud? Lloyd's of London? Let's order linguini? Somebody, bring me into the loop on this. Oh and for Jerry (Nobody) Kempema. . .if you are that person that Tigger is talking about, I'm sorry that you consider yourself a nobody. And rest assured that I'll leave your sport alone. . .I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot putt (unless, of course, I need a cure for insomnia).
Peter White (Posted 2008-06-07 08:31:38)
Is this a joke? Tiger says no one watches hockey? Thats why all US American based teams sell out their hockey tickets every night? Thats why the stanely cup finals is watched more than the NBA finals and even those "golf tours". Wow...I mean common now...we are talking about GOLF...out of ALL SPORTS?? Lol... Tigers an idiot....maybe we should ask WHO THE HELL WATCHS GOLF?
A. Kwan (Posted 2008-06-07 07:49:07)
What is it about an individual who so well travelled that can make a totally ignorance comment such as his? I find it ironic that shortly after his comments that Nic Lidstrom is raising the Stanley Cup, being the first Europeon Captiain of a NHL team. Truely a great achievement and one that parallels Tiger and his first green jacket. I cannot help wonder how his wife thinks of her country's men acceivement over her husband's tiresome commentary over his progress to the US Open. No doubt in both cases there is deep pride but taking Tiger comments in context, he is not the centre of the universe. But he thinks it is or that is all he knows...
Glenn Hess (Posted 2008-06-07 00:28:27)
Right!! The hockey players are very cool with photos and the autographs. And, I have to tell you guys that Scotty Bowman, and his wife, are so cool as well. They hang at the same place that that college basketball guy hangs at.
Ben Myers (Posted 2008-06-06 23:56:39)
Calm down everyone...we all know Woods is classless as he is known as the cheapest tipper and the golfer least likely to sign an autograph for a child...have seen this in person. AND THIS PERSON PLAYS GOLF!!!!...it's like being a really, really good ultimate frisbee or gold frisbee player..the best ever. And one who gets outrageious amounts of $$ for it. Ask any reporter their
fav athlete to interview and most like to have their son be like and it is a good old, down to earth hockey player. No matter if u like the game, they are true gentlemen off the ice and TAKE THE TIME FOR FANS. Golf...I have to go watch the paint dry in my basement or better yet the most fastpaced game in the world...baseball...LOL. Keep talking Woods as it show your recreational status or is that frisbee throwing, or lawn bowling...... :) Come on guys, just a joke...both are great to watch and one it ever better to half a nap with.
Chichan (Posted 2008-06-06 23:48:33)
It's just another one of Tiger's brutal attempts to crack a joke. Obviously the sarcasm (like most) has a bitter vein of truth for hockey folks, he was trying to get a laugh (probably did) in a way his "good buddy" Fuzzy did when talking about menus. A part from FedEx Cup though, the numbers on golf are not encouraging actually... tournaments are struggling... sponsors are wary (NOT advertisers) and as many have said people are watching Tiger (aka the Majors for the most part) 8 million bucks becomes a lot to pay for a Wednesday pro-am for clients!
Glenn Hess (Posted 2008-06-06 21:08:46)
Hey Tiger, Jerry Kelly plays on the PGA tour. He's a hockey player!! Not as great as you, of course, but how about you gearing up and playing one shift in a beer league game with him? Now maybe THAT would get people watching hockey. Maybe a PPV event? No one watches hockey??? Maybe YOU can save our sport.
Don't forget, as in golf, keep your head down, especially when crossing the blue line. You will be rewarded with a nice big check. And believe me, that check is going to be a big one!!! Anyhoo...
Tiger, you are a great golfer. Perhaps one of the best we have even seen. Just don't trash our sport, OK?
-G
BJG (Posted 2008-06-06 17:52:07)
nobody watches hockey anymore? those are strong words from a GOLFER!!! any sport were men well into there 50s, 60s and even 70s can still be at the top of there game is not a sport. sorry tiger, you may be the exception but the only thing more boring than watching golf is playing it.
Jerry Kempema (Posted 2008-06-06 13:54:37)
How can a bunch of people who have never seen Tiger play or they themselves have never played Golf even comment on this. I have never seen a hockey game and probably never will but each his own. I am the person that Tiger is talking about. I got to this blog by blogging Tiger. You have gotten here because of hockey that is why there are so many negative comments. Good luck in your sport and leave mine alone.
Alan B (Posted 2008-06-06 12:10:25)
One other thing. Tony, Mark O'Meara is not a loser and any true golf fan has heard of him. Even to be on the tour you have to be a big winner. And he has won at least one major. Have you won any? Would you then have to consider yourself a loser? If you want to make a point about something, whatever it is, maybe try to do it with some class. Maybe then you will get some respect.
Alan B (Posted 2008-06-06 12:02:21)
How are ratings determined these days? Do they still go by Nielsen ratings? Do Nielsen households represent a good cross-section of television-viewing audiences? I have never believed the ratings. Despite what Bettman has done to the game ice hockey is still the greatest sport to watch and to play. Was anyone else pissed like I was that NBC had to give the hockey puck a comet trail when they showed some of the replays? Give me a break!
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-06-06 10:48:34)
Mr. Plank, you asked the same question that was percolating in my mind when I read MB's (which I believe must stand for "Militantly Brainless") cliche-ridden putdowns of our game. Did he get lost in cyberspace? Certainly he wouldn't waste his time going to a webstite devoted to this brutal, thug-infested, unsportsmanlike pastime! And who, by the way, is this "one writer" who's drinking Tigger's Kool-Aid and touts his spoiled, glamour-boy butt over the entire sport of Hockey? Identify your source, please. . .for all I know that "one writer" could be J.K. Rowling. And by the way, Tony, quit the moronic profiling. I played chess in high school and although our school didn't have a hockey team, I played a lot of pickup games with my buddies back in my teen years. . .and, believe me, I was not the guy who got beat up a lot. You seem to be on the same page with MB in reducing everyone and everything to a categorized, cultural stereotype. But what I really wanted to call to everyone's attention was this: Check out the Boston Bruins website. . .if you're trawling through their all-time roster listing you'll see a Gatorade ad featuring none other than. . .the one, the only Tigger! Talk about aid (or should that be "ade"?) and comfort to the enemy! Whoever made the decision to place and keep that ad on the website should be sent out behind TD Banknorth Garden with Milan Lucic!
Chuck (Posted 2008-06-06 10:48:08)
What I find most interesting about this little spat is the credibility Hull brings to this discussion. As some may recall, during the cup run in 2002, Hull's swing was analyzed by one of the big golf publications (I don't recall or care which one). I'm not aware of any analysis performed on Tigers' slap shot, or his skating ability?
Tony (Posted 2008-06-06 09:09:44)
MB: If you watch golf only when Tiger is playing, than you are not a golf fan (I don't think I would admit I am watching golf to watch one man). Sounds like you were the one everyone beat up at school (let me guess, you were on the chess team). I played hockey, baseball (which IS an individual sport - not a team sport) and football. Hockey is the most physical team sport out there (football (for me) was too easy compared to hockey). You need to be an excellent athelete to play hockey.
Mr. Plank (Posted 2008-06-06 02:53:09)
Hey MB, just a question (and I'm not meaning to be confrontational). If you would "watch hockey about as soon as left turns (nascar)" why are you on The Hockey News website? In regards to Tiger, I think Hull summed it up wonderfully. That was a stupid thing to say, and hopefully in the future he will refrain from those types of comments. Jason Plank from http://webleedteal.blogspot.com
Dave G (Posted 2008-06-06 01:46:28)
That was a classless comment by Woods! Hopefully he gets an earful from one of hockey's greats (Gretz or Lemieux) at a big charity golf tournament and apologizes to hockey players and fans everywhere. Hockey is a $3 billion industry, with 30 teams, including in 24 US cities. I mean, isn't Woods a golfer from the US, with fans in the very cities he has insulted? Anyway, a golfer, essentially a recreational athlete, is criticizing hockey and hockey players, some of the best athletes in the world? What a joke! Woods is a classless idiot.
M B (Posted 2008-06-06 00:37:47)
Hockey?
You mean thugs-on-ice, right?
You know the joke: "I went to the fights and a hockey game broke out." Ba-doom cha.
I'd watch hockey about as soon as I'd watch Left Turns (nascar). In other words: pretty much never.
Golf? I ONLY watch if Tiger's playing...what's that tell you? As one writer said "Tiger's got more profile than the entire sport of hockey".
Worldwide, this is true.
But, it all comes down to personal preference. If one plays/played Hockey or grew up doing so, they're gonna follow hockey. It's a developed appreciation of an applicable skill they are intimate with and they are compelled by it.
I didn't start watching golf until I took it up, mostly because of being inspired to do so by Mr. Woods and now I too watch golf because I appreciate the level of skill the players demonstrate on a regular basis that my "shoots-in-the-mid-80's" ass cannot even approach executing.
Both hockey and golf have their level of unique skills to appreciate.
However, what golf has in abundance, hockey completely lacks - a little thing called sportsmanship.
And that's a fact.
Michael (Posted 2008-06-06 00:18:54)
I live in Perth, Australia and have never played hockey in my life or even seen snow for that matter but I program my week around the small glimpses of NHL we get on Australian cable. Center Ice Online has been a blessing for me... I have never watched a game of golf and don't intend to...
Jo Blo (Posted 2008-06-05 22:35:27)
At least Hockey is a sport, as opposed to a "leisure activity"
Bruce (Posted 2008-06-05 18:34:08)
Hull probably isn't available because he's playing in a gold tournament somewhere. Look, we can sit and dismiss golf all day long, but evidently people watch and watch it in droves. Advertising rates during the US open are at premium, but not on NBC during the Stanley Cup finals (gonna miss the images provided by the Cup's sponsorship of tiny little buxom girls with "foam guns" flying up some dude's nose...). There wasn't a lockout because hockey was doing well financially, some owner claimed to be losing money (and I believe them about as much as I believe Bud Selig, but that's another story). Don't shoot the messenger, Tiger probably like hockey players and is friends with many of them (since they ALL play golf as most NBA and NFL players do). I wouldn't be surprised if he was simply repeating something he'd heard from some NHL buddy at a Pro-Am tournament. Finally, much as I have always admired Brett Hull, now that he's on the ownership/management side of the fence, he's got a pretty different take on things. Like everybody who has a financial stake in the NHL's post-lockout success, he's intent on dismissing the myriad problems the league faces, at least as far the public discussion of these problems goes. It's all "Things are Great, Hooray for us" from Bettman down to the THN staff writers and the call in radio shows. Nobody wants to rock the boat but it's been taking on water for several years now.
Fred Vilbs (Posted 2008-06-05 17:32:50)
The most interesting part i think is that Tiger is butt ugly.
Tony (Posted 2008-06-05 17:32:41)
Woods is an idiot to say that (and I somewhat like him). I golf, but it is not a sport. It's a competition, I like playing, but a boring competition to watch. Golf is very simple to play vs hockey or football.
What a stupid thing to say (was that loser OMeara with him, that guy would be a ZERO without Woods, nobody would know who he is without him half way up Wood's back end). I know ALOT of people who watch (and more who play) hockey, more than golf. Most people I know do not watch golf, they play golf.
jan (Posted 2008-06-05 15:54:40)
C'mon, Tiger-- show some respect for fellow athletes in other sports.
bruce (Posted 2008-06-05 15:43:37)
I'll tell you who cares about golf: TV networks, their advertisers and their viewers. Sports are a business, at least where the Leagues are concerned (I hope less so for the athletes themselves but that is, of course, naive). They evidently care a great deal more about it than hockey. Maybe that's not because of the product itself (I find Hockey, even the new tainted brand of hockey since the lockout, far more compelling than Golf - but that's a personal matter), but because it has been marketed more effectively.
Perhaps Woods was being a "wise ass" as you say. If so, the question is how can he afford to get away with such flippancy? Because nobody (comparatively) is watching hockey and so it's a safe remark. Like making fun of Cave Men on a Geico ad. Maybe that's what we should be upset about.
BTW, smug remarks about the attention span of Americans seem particularly wanting given that hockey fans (at least the ones that the league is concerned about) lose interest in a game if there isn't a goal scored every 90 seconds and so we are now to believe that 5 on 3 powerplays are "real hockey" and that we need bigger goals and smaller goalies. Really? Attention span huh?
NelsDevs (Posted 2008-06-05 15:03:06)
There are plenty of people who watch hockey and although the league definitely does need to broaden it's horizons, this guy was just trying to stir something up. But let me ask you: Who the hell cares about golf?? What a joke. Anyone who watches golf will probably die of boredom or old age in the near future. Now, I'm not a fan of Bettman at all. He has really, really hurt our beautiful sport. But it's not like Woods was giving constructive criticism. He was being a wise ass, plain and simple. If there aren't as many people watching our sport anymore it's due to marketing, not the product. Look at his product. Hit a ball, go after it, hit it again. OOOOOOOHH, exciting! Ratings are on the rise and we'll be up there again, but even when we do I'd still rather be the sport that not everyone watches because the other 3 leagues have all become a joke. Baseball is as boring as ever, Basketball is slipping and Football has become so disgustingly trashy. Besides...we all know the typical American just does not have the attention span for a sport like Hockey. Look at the 2 biggest sports here...Baseball and Football. You can turn away for 5 minutes and not miss a thing with either. In Hockey, you can't turn away for 5 seconds without missing something. Think about it (or at least try!).
bruce (Posted 2008-06-05 14:55:59)
You may not consider Golf a sport (and I myself find it boring to watch) but neither of those are germane. ALOT of people watch Golf. Far more, in fact, than who watch Hockey. That is largely true because of Tiger Woods. It is therefore one of the most lucrative sports on TV where hockey is not and advertising dollars really do matter here more than your opinion of Tiger and Golf, since the remark was that he thought nobody watched Hackey anymore, not that he thought Hockey wasn't a sport (that was your remark vis a vis Golf). I don't see the NHL doing 1/10 t promote Iginla that I do for it's pasty young poster boy. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that there are probably almost no young African-americans (who spend lot of money as a deomgraphic in sports marketing) with Sidney Crosby posters on their wall. Certainly there are plenty with Tiger's poster's and those people probably never watched golf before Tiger began to dominate the sport. Do you see where I'm going with this or do you just have more invective about Tiger and golf?
Zippy (Posted 2008-06-05 14:43:28)
I refuse to consider that there may be merit in his comment just because he's Tiger Woods - but because he IS Tiger Woods (and supposed to be an elite athlete in his chosen sport) he should respect the fact that 'Pro Sports' (if you consider golf a sport - which I DO NOT) has given him his millions. ya ya he has talent but would he be anywhere if there wasn't all the $ in it for him? And yes definitley the NHL hasn't done anything to promote players of color but if he wasn't so ignorant about hockey he would know who Jarome Iginla (a REAL athlete) is. It shows that Tiger's got no respect for other (real) sports because he has himself so high up on a pedestal. I'd like to see him block a shot with his face or have to hook up to an IV after playing 2 hockey games in the space of hours. I don't watch much golf but USED to want Tiger to win - not anymore who cares I too would rather watch paint dry.
Bruce (Posted 2008-06-05 14:20:35)
It's a bit much to say that Woods was "dissing" hockey when in fact he was more or less stating a fact, albeit one that the NHL and its media are trying not to advertise to what's left of its fan base. I'm also certain that Woods meant that nobody watches hockey anymore in the US, and while strictly speaking, of course, some Americans do, the sport has fallen behind pro bull riding under Bettman's watchful eye. Finally, it is almost certain that while Woods is often criticized for not being especially vocal about race, that he is rather conscious of it. Maybe what he meant was that hockey has done little to increase the number of players of color that it presents in the NHL and consequently sports fans (who as a demographic - again in the US - are well-represented by male African-americans) don't watch hockey. Either way, it's a little too easy to flip back at Woods with a "how dare he" response rather than considering WHY he would make a remark like that...It's Tiger Woods, not Ozzie Guillen that said it, so maybe there was something to be considered here.
Kevin Savary (Posted 2008-06-05 14:20:02)
Golf is fun to play,but when it comes to watching I can watch my own grass grow. I have never seen Tiger Woods play,and never will.So to me his opinion means nothing.
TheMetalChick (Posted 2008-06-05 13:37:08)
I am very disappointed in Tiger.
Its not like him to be so disrespectful in public.
REC (Posted 2008-06-05 13:35:02)
Golf is a non-contact sport!
Mike Neff (Posted 2008-06-05 13:09:16)
I really couldn't care less if anyone else watches hockey. I do watch it and feel that some of the ideas brought on by trying to expand the game are what's ruining some of it as well. It's a niche sport, that's what makes it so great! Not everyone gets it, which is AOK by me.
bob bennett (Posted 2008-06-05 12:50:07)
MJB..... what a great post!
Jim O'Donnell (Posted 2008-06-05 11:45:00)
Tiger's the "worlds greatest athlete"? What, did he decision the world series of poker's champion in a thumb wrestling contest?? Sadley, primetime sports TV viewership is often driven by couch potatoes who best relate to quasi sports like golf, poker and nascar. I hope the NHL endeavors to improve the 'viewability' of the game and I hope that future international championships, world jr's & sr's, will be televised in the US. Finally, kudos to the wings and pens for a classic championship that provided everything that this viewer wants when he watches sports on the telly!
Jim Reinecke (Posted 2008-06-05 11:30:23)
Anybody familiar with Mark Twain's great line about golf? He defined it as "a good walk ruined".
eed Hoetly (Posted 2008-06-05 11:27:14)
Tiger has a lot of explaining to do when he gets home. Is his wife not from sweden, and them people take hockey very seriously.
Facewasher (Posted 2008-06-05 10:52:33)
SE Michigan???? Who GAF!!!
Raj (Posted 2008-06-05 10:51:11)
This is the same guy that said he wouldn't let his kids play soccer because it's not a "contact sport." Tiger, news flash --- you're a golfer! Golf isn't even a "sport". It's a game for people born with a silver spoon in their ass.
Alexander Weiter (Posted 2008-06-05 10:47:07)
Does anyone watch golf?I don't.I would rather watch paint dry!
Rob (Posted 2008-06-05 10:13:56)
News Flash... Tiger can't read... In Detroit, the Pistons and Wings played simultaneous games during the Eastern Conference (NBA) and Cup Final, respectively. The Wings drew a higher TV rating in SE Michigan. Once again proving that Detroiters love their "hockeytown."
This was widely reported by TSN, ESPN. Tiger, get a clue.
Steven Keane (Posted 2008-06-05 09:12:44)
Hello!! I can’t believe know one hasn’t brought up the following!
1 Golf attendance? Even with Tiger in the field the AHL out draws Golf period!! Remember Tiger said Hockey as a sport! Forget that the ECHL on any given day wins!
2 TV Ratings!! Even with Tiger in the feild Hockey wins!! Remember Hockey he said!! Is he nuts more people watch Hockey by a landslide over golf! In April you have the NHL,AHL,ECHL,NCAA all the Candadian Hockey & Jr Hockey leagues and all the other Pro leagues I have not mentioned. So maybe just maybe Golf wins TV During the Master say... Add up all the people watching hockey in all the leagues on a Saturday during that masters I bet golf wins IF!!! Tiger or Phil is in the running and still wins but not by much.
What a dope Tiger is, it was such an arrogant comment I have lost respect for him, Not all!! I have a life and I have said dumber things I am sure. I know people who can’t stand him for his arrogance.. He is great and I know it and I don’t wish him any ill will if he breaks all the records Ill applaud But he really needs to get his head out of his ass.
He is just plain wrong across the board! Period!! Hockey by a landslide in any viewing category!!
Rich Yan (Posted 2008-06-05 08:49:23)
Who watches golf? You play golf! Same as bowling. Woods is such a corporate shill these days. He's like a corporate logo. he should change his name to Tony the Tiger Woods.
MJB (Posted 2008-06-04 23:57:50)
It's truly suprising how Woods picks this time to utter something of consequence. Throughout his career, in any interview or press conference, nothing of substance is said. The same drivel with no real insights into his play. He may not support hockey, but he doesn't even fully support his profession. He cherry picks tournaments, and is looked down upon by many of the players who fully support the tour (Vijay Singh comes to mind) and the fans. If hockey's ultimate prize was painted red renamed the Tiger Cup, given to the winner of the General Motors playoffs, with the Nike Trophy and an American Express card given to the MVP, maybe then he would notice once in a while - with proper percentage of gate receipts to the little Woods' trust fund, of course.
Pete (Posted 2008-06-04 23:55:45)
Tiger who? The only Tiger I know either plays baseball in Detroit, used to ride his stick in Toronto or adorns the front of a cereal box... Don't golfers play hockey when they get eliminated?
dale kasl (Posted 2008-06-04 21:43:20)
I watch hockey on versus and nhl network.I also watch the b2 network to watch local minor league games.I don't watch golf to listen them praise tiger even when he's not playing.Tiger has not played in Phoenix for years because we booed him.
StarsRule (Posted 2008-06-04 19:37:23)
Tiger should be trying to help promote not tear down. I agree that golf is so boring that someone hyped up on caffine could probably sleep through it. I will never understand how golf can be considered a sport when all that happens is a bunch of men, (or women), walk around a former cow pasture and hit a little ball hoping it goes in a gopher holel. And they make millions for doing what? A former employer called it cow pasture pool. But, the fact is, the more any well known personality(ies) make a remark like Tiger did, the harder it is, for those of us who are fanatic, to get that notion changed. Tiger just NEEDS to keep his mouth shut UNLESS he has something positive to say about hockey.
Birdsthatdontfly (Posted 2008-06-04 19:32:12)
I disagree with mr flyersfan who is obviously upset because his team was a no-show in game 5 in the Easten conference finals. Agreed that bettman is a joke, but I watch whoever is playing because the sport is the most exciting that there is. I like the sport of golf, and baseball, but you won't catch me watching either on tv. I been going to Pens games since Moby Dick was a minnow, no matter how bad they are. I say we line Mr. Woods up at center ice and let Scary Gary Roberts take a run at him!
bob (Posted 2008-06-04 19:30:54)
I would expect nothing less from this egomaniac....reality is NOBODY WATCHES GOLF BUT 4 TIMES A YEAR, AND ONLY SERIOUSLY ONLY ON SUNDAY, THE LAST DAY......so that means people watch golf 4 DAYS A YEAR!! THAT'S IT!!!..
John (Posted 2008-06-04 19:09:10)
From the POV of an American viewer, Tiger is simply stating a well-established notion. While the NHL, and hockey in general, has made some gains in TV market share this season, generally hockey does very poorly when compared with other sports.
Heck, only a few years ago both a televised dog show and an NBA pre-draft show (note, not the draft, but the pre-draft show!) did many times the points than a number of NHL weekend games near the end of the season.
Outside of the big markets, the NHL is struggling to compete with all the ways you and I can spend our money. Remember that many folks did not grow up playing road hockey until their faces were numb, or were allowed to stay up to watch the classic pre-expansion clashes go into multiple overtime.
And this is just the North American view. In terms of world interest, nothing comes close to the two sport biggies: soccer/football and (now) basketball. Hockey is way far behind even team handball in some of the world markets.
So, in terms of a business, Tiger is just repeating what even Bettman knows: hockey is, by and large, a small market game in the US and world-wide.
stephen palmieri (Posted 2008-06-04 19:03:45)
since Mr.Woods was the target of a lame brain comment or two not too long ago I guess its ok for him to suffer a brain----. Like Mr.Hull said a man of Woods' stature should be a goodwill ambassador for all Sports!
Like our dear Mr.Gretzky.I mean, to each their own you like what you like.
But what I do think is,maybe,someone should give Tiger and his lovely wife a nice rinkside seat in Pittsburgh for game6 of the final.With the Penguin crowd behind them I'm sure Mr.Woods would get a charge out of the rekindled Penguins frantically trying to force a game7.
Winking Jester (Posted 2008-06-04 18:22:27)
If he's married to Swede does that make any difference? What a comment.. Yeah it's very unfortunate to hear a guy like Tiger say a thing like that.. Well I don't know anyone who's up 3 am to watch golf, do you? But I know many who will forget the sleep and watch the greatest sports of all time.
Bob Brownell (Posted 2008-06-04 17:45:57)
Isn't he married to a Sweed?
Flyersfan (Posted 2008-06-04 17:27:03)
i think tiger dead on. if you take a step back and look at reality and not drinking the bettman koolaid, if your team is out of playoffs or not in playoffs, fans of teams wont wont watch other hockey games.
nobody's has been watching hockey since bettman took control of nhl and his little gimmicks that have destoryed the game beyond repair in usa.
Humberto yanez (Posted 2008-06-04 17:22:39)
wait...he was a fan at the time? visiting the Stars dressing room and acting like one?
did the stars owner pay him to make the appearance or was it because Nike back then was full swing making hockey equipment so he had to be there and promote Nike Sports.
that and the fact that hes also been seen at coyote games before. What a jerk!
David (Posted 2008-06-04 17:09:55)
Only in the loosest sense of the term can golf even be considered a sport. I suppose because there's physical movement involved it's classified as a sport. LOL. Shut up Tiger. You're not an athlete. You're just a golfer. There's a big difference between the two. I'd like to see you take a slapper to an already broken nose then think about playing more hockey like Malone did the other night for the Pens.
kevin con (Posted 2008-06-04 16:37:31)
NBC 6.2M
CBC 2.7M
RDS .7M
That's almost 10 million viewers. When did golf ever get 10 million viewers?
MIKE CASARIN (Posted 2008-06-04 16:29:24)
GO HULL GO!!! GO STARS GO!!!
Michael Blanton (Posted 2008-06-04 16:17:05)
That's OK. I hate golf and have never watched it. Most boring sport in the world!
Advertisement
Which team will win the Atlantic Division?
"There's no greater honor, no greater feeling than standing on that blueline with your teammates representing this country. I'll remember this the rest of my life."
- Canada's John Tavares after winning the country's fifth straight World Junior Championship gold medal.
Our Partners
The Hockey News Corporation. All Rights Reserved © 2008 Transcontinental
Standards: XHTML 1.0 STRICT + CSS 2. V 1.5 17.09.2008
