I have been throwing a fit online about this Blackhawks broadcast situation.
It bothers me on multiple levels.
The Blackhawks, obviously, knew that their deal with NBC Sports Chicago was expiring before the 2024 season.
That feels logical on the surface until you remember that Chris Vosters was given a 5 year deal.
Colby Cohen also had a longer contract than what they offered to Edzo.
So the decimation of our broadcast is the first layer of anger about this.
To me, that is bullshit.
Regional Sports Networks have been failing across the country.
Reinsdorf hired Jason Coyle to be the CEO of CHSN.
Coyle was the former CEO of Stadium which was the streaming sports channel.
Stadium has not been successful.
That’s almost like hiring a GM from within to fix all the problems his previous bosses made…
I’d like to know what other options were explored.
Marquee charges $19.99 per month for their app.
In some cases calling the best product “shit” might be generous.
NOBODY watched NBC Chicago unless it was the pre/post game shows.
I was SHOCKED to see the same old guard of Chicago sports media have shows on the connection.
I am just thinking out loud here.
Maybe there is an answer.
I mentioned Marquee above.
They have an established online grid.
They have an established app.
I am sure they’d love some programming to sell from October-April when the Cubs are off.
Did the Blackhawks talk to Marquee about a partnership?
Was the Wirtz-Reinsdorf relationship too strong to pursue something else?
I am curious about the level of due diligence done to make the Blackhawks easily accessible for their fans.
That is the thing.
So far in my experience it hasn’t been “easy”.
The result…not great.
And I wasn’t alone
These are the Blackhawks fans.
Some of their best fans.
People who buy tickets.
People who buy merch.
People who consume a ton of content so you’re free to sell ads.
People who actively want to watch this team even though they’ve sucked for 7 years.
People who continue to support this team through scandal and incompetence.
The organization failed them.
Here is another outloud thought…the Blackhawks sucked and lucked their way into Connor Bedard.
An exciting talent that is capable of creating new fans.
The same way Toews and Kane made the Blackhawks the hottest show and ticket in town 15 years ago.
Their ability and Rocky getting the games on TV made hockey EXPLODE in this market.
The Blackhawks have an opportunity to cash in on that formula again.
They should be in growth mode.
You could be creating new fans who you’ll make that money back on over the next 50 years.
And perhaps the biggest factor in this is that the Blackhawks don’t have any credibility.
A scandal seemingly every year.
Lies to the fans.
They trotted out this blue ribbon committee for the GM hiring process.
Hossa was in Slovakia and Sharp was in Vegas with me when they were interviewing candidates.
They just used big names because they had no trust capital with the fans.
Greenberg is successful in the sport where he spent his entire career…go figure.
Really going all the way back to 2010.
He was carried by super stars acquired by previous GMs and the greatest coach of this era.
It should’ve been obvious to anyone paying attention.
I hate complaining about the Blackhawks.
It’s been a LONG 9 years for Blackhawks fans.
I don’t ask for much.
Put the games on TV.
So I don’t evenneedor expect another Cup to be a hardcore fan.
I just need the honest and competent pursuit of a Cup.
I really don’t think that is too much to ask.
I like Danny Wirtz on a personal level.
I think he’s a good guy.
It does seem like every non-hockey decision made that impacts the fans has been a bust though.
Someone has to be held accountable.
Faulkner completely cleaned house when she got the job.
She’s also had to replace the replacements in many instances.
These are some stories that color in the apparent chaos.
It feels like this TV distribution problem is just the latest manifestation of a larger problem.
I hope I am wrong.
I hope we get answers.
I hope we get games on TV.
