Tiger Woods: "I dont really care..... I dont think anyone watches hockey anymore"

[PNF]

Originally Posted by blu-backer

You can certainly do it, but you'd be wrong. At least, when it comes to who watches hockey and golf in the US. For example, the Nielsen ratings for the Masters the past decade:

'07 7.6
'06 6.9
'05 8.0
'04 6.7
'03 6.9
'02 8.1
'01 10.7
'00 7.6
'99 7.9
'98 8.6
'97 11.2

The Stanley Cup FINALS for 2006 and also for 2007 rated:

'07 Game 3 - 0.5
'07 Game 5 - 2.1
'06 Game 3 - 1.7
'06 Game 4 - 2.6
'06 Game 7 - 3.3

Of course, these are apples to oranges comparisons, but the statement that "no one watches golf" is more of a stretch compared to the statement that "no one watches hockey".

I hate to do this, but since I love hockey, I will defend hockey then.

I agree that NHL is not among the big time sports in the US, not as popular as say the superbowl, the NBA, the world series, but it has its place.

The TV ratings are TERRIBLE stats to compare for Golf and Hockey. Lets see what the rating is for the Canadian TV broadcast only. I am very sure that the Cup final beats out your masters or any of the 4 major easily.

Did you know that NHL had 2 lockouts the last 10 years. The 2006 and 2007 final that you have used to compare are among the HIGHEST TV rating in the recent memory in Canada, why? because the Sens and the Oilers were in it and the Flames (Calgary) was in 05 Final.

I live in Philadelphia, and I used to work in NY and I can honest tell you half of the people have not even heard of the city Calgary or EDMONTON.

Now, lets look at the other opponents, who were the US teams? the Hurricanes?? the Lightnings?? I mean, those are certainly not among the original six teams of the NHL. If you want to use Masters in Golf (one of the most prestigious tourney in golf), shouldnt we use one of the 2 most presitigous teams in the NHL in cup final to see the rating? Maybe, say, The Wings vs the Hawks? (just an example). (I tried to find some rating, but couldnt find it now)


I am not trying to prove that hockey is more popular (well, it is not in the US), but it definitely is for some people and country for that matter.

Anyone can play golf, yes, but can they play it well, thats the point.

anyone can play hockey, they might just suk, thats all.


I guess my point of the thread is sort of to rant about how much tiger sounded like a spoiled rich brat who has no right to diss a sports with hundred years of tradition and millions of fan. After all, NHL has been trying to recover from the terrible operation by gay bettman and it is growing rather rapidly the past 2 years with more than $3 billions of revenue generaged for the NHL alone.