Chances of a watch-party at the UC?

[noon]

I just got a reply from the Blackhawks Marketing Dept. that included the following statement:



"The NHL’s broadcast agreement prohibits these types of viewing parties during the last two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tampa Bay is in violation of this and the event will be shut down."



Interesting. But I will no longer blame the Blackhawks for not hosting such a party. Seems they should be more explicit about their reasons for not hosting a party like this -- at least then we'd know to blame Bettman.

 

[bierboy]

Way to go Chris....party pooper.... :clap:

 

[bierboy]

Does it make any difference for Tampa Bay that it's in the XO VIP Club (which, I assume, is in the St. Pete Times Forum) and not the actual stadium?



http://www.stpetetimesforum.com/event_d ... asp?id=206

 

[IceHogsFan]

[quote name="bierboy"]Way to go Chris....party pooper.... :clap:[/quote]



Well, lets just be clear that it was not the response that I was expecting.



As Noon stated, if it is the case then the Blackhawks organization would

have been wise to state that they wanted to do something like this for

the fans but that the NHL prohibits it. Would have been a great marketing

piece for the Blackhawks.

 

[noon]

[quote name="bierboy"]Does it make any difference for Tampa Bay that it's in the XO VIP Club and not the actual stadium?[/quote]



I wondered that, too. It might be more akin to opening the Ketel One Club for a viewing party. I'd certainly be there if they did that, though.

 

[bierboy]

[quote name="noon"]



I wondered that, too. It might be more akin to opening the Ketel One Club for a viewing party. I'd certainly be there if they did that, though.[/quote]

But if they're not charging, can you imagine the number of people who might show up? (Maybe not for this Tampa Bay event, but certainly in the Ketel One). It would be insanity.

 

[noon]

[quote name="bierboy"]

But if they're not charging, can you imagine the number of people who might show up? (Maybe not for this Tampa Bay event, but certainly in the Ketel One). It would be insanity.[/quote]



Obviously it would be a much smaller event, but I'd pay a $15 or $20 cover, plus food and beverages all evening. Give first shot to members of Ketel One, then open it up to STH's if there are spots remaining. Obviously, it ain't gonna happen, but it would be nice to share it with long-time Ketel One comrades at the K.O. Oh well.

 

[Tater]

So who wants to make a road trip to Tampa!

 

[IceHogsFan]

[quote name="Tater"]So who wants to make a road trip to Tampa![/quote]



I read the email as saying the Blackhawks were going to go after the team for

sponsoring an unauthorized event to the NHL. Be interesting if they still have

this party they were promoting.

 

[klemmer]

[quote name="IceHogsFan"]Are you ready for this???!!!!! Response to my email sent earlier regarding Tampa Bay having their event for the Cup and we are not.



Chris,





Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We weren’t aware of this and have notified the NHL about this illegal event. The NHL’s broadcast agreement prohibits these types of viewing parties during the last two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tampa Bay is in violation of this and the event will be shut down. Thanks again for your loyalty to the Blackhawks!





Best,





Dave Knickerbocker



Sr. Executive Director of Marketing & Business Development



Chicago Blackhawks[/quote]



Great. You pissed off the people in Philly and now have worked your magic on Tampa.

 

[IceHogsFan]

[quote name="klemmer"]



Great. You pissed off the people in Philly and now have worked your magic on Tampa.[/quote]



Never thought I was that good!

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

I need help understanding why Sir Buttman, or I mean the NHL won't allow the final 2 rounds to be shown. In this case at one of its own arenas, which also could be used as a means to say thank you to the loyal following. While at the same time probably selling a crapload of NHL merchandise at said venue.

 

[Ruhtra]

[quote name="Spunky Porkstacker"]I need help understanding why Sir Buttman, or I mean the NHL won't allow the final 2 rounds to be shown. In this case at one of its own arenas, which also could be used as a means to say thank you to the loyal following. While at the same time probably selling a crapload of NHL merchandise at said venue.[/quote]

Might be what the networks are asking for in an effort to maximize ratings, that's just my guess.

 

[CLWolf81]

[quote name="Ruhtra"]

Might be what the networks are asking for in an effort to maximize ratings, that's just my guess.[/quote]



They actually expect people to be in their homes to watch the last two rounds? Umm... Ok...

 

[Tater]

[quote name="IceHogsFan"]



I read the email as saying the Blackhawks were going to go after the team for

sponsoring an unauthorized event to the NHL. Be interesting if they still have

this party they were promoting.[/quote]



Yeah, I saw they were trying to stop the event.

Just being sarcastic I guess.

 

[noon]

It does appear that the Tampa viewing party has been cancelled. At the very least, there is no more posting about it on the Bolts' website and the link is dead. Another marketing genius move by Count Bettman.

 

[IceHogsFan]

[quote name="noon"]It does appear that the Tampa viewing party has been cancelled. At the very least, there is no more posting about it on the Bolts' website and the link is dead. Another marketing genius move by Count Bettman.[/quote]



That certainly was not my intention of sending the email and not the end result that

I was looking for. Then again, I assume most of you would have known that.

 

[noon]

[quote name="IceHogsFan"]



That certainly was not my intention of sending the email and not the end result that

I was looking for. Then again, I assume most of you would have known that.[/quote]



Party pooper.



Of course we know. Weird result, really. But it shines a light on the continuing ineptitude of Bettman to market this game. As if that light wasn't bright enough.

 

[E Runs]

[quote name="noon"]



Party pooper.



Of course we know. Weird result, really. But it shines a light on the continuing ineptitude of Bettman to market this game. As if that light wasn't bright enough.[/quote]

What do the other sports leagues do with these types of thing?

 

[noon]

[quote name="E Runs"]

What do the other sports leagues do with these types of thing?[/quote]



Unless something has changed very recently, NBA and MLB both allow viewing parties. I don't think the NFL does, but don't know. But the NFL doesn't exactly have the struggles to gain viewership/fans that the NHL does.