In article <[log in to unmask]>, Ryan Robbins
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
|>
|> Let's be rational and logical about the situation, guys. The world
|> does NOT revolve around college hockey. That may come as a
|> surprise to some of you, but it is true. Face it, most ESPN viewers
|> are NOT interested in watching college hockey.
|>
Good point.  While us hockey addicts just don't understand how someone
can be more interested in tennis or golf, its a reality.
 
|> What many of you seem to be forgetting is that ESPN has contractual
|> obligations. The tennis match ran long, therefore the Maine-
|> Michigan game broadcast time had to be delayed. As most of you have
|> pointed out, that's ESPN's policy.
|>
Another good point.  No matter what ESPN does, they will alienate part
of their audience.  Personally, I think their "Heidi" policy is valid
and they should continue using it.  They did screw things up by
tape-delaying the 3rd OT, but everyone should ask themselves how
they would have handled it if they were in charge of the broadcast(s).
 
How could ESPN have planned for a sprained ankle, a tennis judge's scoring
mistake, a 10th ranked player pushing the flu-stricken favorite to 3 sets.
I'm probably asking for hate mail, but I found myself actually getting into
the tennis match all the while I was fuming over missing the first period
of the hockey game.  (Er ... actually, I had the radio on whilst I stared
at the TV).
 
Next, how do you anticipate (schedule) a triple overtime NCAA hockey game?
 
Tennis .... come on ... hurry up there Vicario ... you are ticking off
our hockey fans.  Next, would someone please put it in the net so
we can get to the golf coverage .... coverage that we contracted for
and now must obligate.  The people in the ESPN hotseat must have been
pulling their hair out during this whole process.
 
|> What about ESPN's not showing the end of the Maine-Michigan game
|> live? you may be wondering.
|>
|> Think: the game began at 1 p.m. It went into three overtimes and
|> ended after more than 4 1/2 hours. The average college hockey
|> game is about 2 1/2 hours long. Have you considered the possibility
|> that ESPN would have to honor its contract with golf? Who expected
|> a hockey game to last more than four hours? There was probably no
|> provision in ESPN's golf contract to delay broadcasting that in
|> favor of the hockey game if the hcokey game ran over its expected
|> time frame. I doubt anybody on this list would have put a clause
|> in the golf contract giving priority to hockey if they were a
|> manager at ESPN. Hockey games just don't last 4 1/2 hours.
|>
|> ESPN was justified for doing what it did. It had to honor contracts.
|> Most of ESPN's audience doesn't care for college hockey, regardless
|> of whether its a regular season game or an NCAA semi-final game.
|> Deal with it. You got to see the end of the game.
|>
Ryan ... thanks for saving me some typing.  Although ESPN juggled the ball
quite a bit, they didn't (in my book) totally drop it.  The only thing
that really bothers me is the tape delayed ending.  Otherwise, I think
they did the best the could with the cards they were given.
 
Another stupid annecdote:  I actually found that ESPN's switching to golf
helped me calm down between overtime periods.  You see, I would breath
during the golf coverage and then hold my breath and monitor my pulse during
the hockey action.  Maybe I should try the Lamars breathing method during
Saturday's final between Maine and BU.
 
--
Having returned to my normal pulse rate,
 
Steve Philbrick                             [log in to unmask]
UMaine Department of Computer Science
237 Neville Hall, Orono, Maine 04469        TEL: (207) 581-3942
 
"It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it."
  -- Stephen Wright
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