Could the N.H.L battle the K.H.L for expansion into Europe?
Posted 1:11 PM ET | Comments 6
There is no way around the fact that the N.H.L's popularity in Europe has grown significantly over the last couple of season. Although mainly due to extensive N.H.L marketing and contracts with the North American Sports Network to broadcast more games then, ever the truth is that hockey on t.v is completely different than in real time. The excitment, the speed have never been able to translate as well to the television screen as they do live.
So the N.H.L had moved to open up the regular season in London's o2 arena and the move played major dividends as both games were a massive success in London. Or were they? Upon further inspection as wonderful as London was the majority of the fan base who attended these two games between the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angele's Kings were tourist of hockey mad countries like Sweden, Slovakia, Czech Republic and even Finland. Excited to see the worlds best compete close to home. So the N.H.L has expanded to reach these Markets right at home with Several teams playing exhibitions and starting the season in Germany, Slovakia, Czech republic, Sweden and Finland.
While recently the New Continental Hockey league has been marketed as competition to the N.H.L. Based in Russian and growing its talent pool rapidly the C.H.L (k.H.L) may be quick to cease on logistics and popularity into expanding it grip on the game. The seemingly endless wallets of Russian oil tycoons (Or mobsters) has its targets on both Russia and Europe's premier players and even the possibility of luring some North American talent as well. As tension in the political world begin to build between the east and west The Future of the two leagues maybe be the battle ground of central Europe.
It must be more than a few exhibitions, once a year for the N.H.L to keep the hearts and dreams of the young stars, the next generation interested in coming overseas. It will take A European Conference with the chance to Compete for the Stanley cup to take the N.H.L to the next level both financial and globally. If Gary Bettman does not see the growing threat or fails to acknowledge the serious threat that lies in Russia, the N.H.L could have more serious problems then Nascar and the N.B.A. They could end up losing what makes the game so great, the title of the Greatest Hockey league in the world.
So the N.H.L had moved to open up the regular season in London's o2 arena and the move played major dividends as both games were a massive success in London. Or were they? Upon further inspection as wonderful as London was the majority of the fan base who attended these two games between the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angele's Kings were tourist of hockey mad countries like Sweden, Slovakia, Czech Republic and even Finland. Excited to see the worlds best compete close to home. So the N.H.L has expanded to reach these Markets right at home with Several teams playing exhibitions and starting the season in Germany, Slovakia, Czech republic, Sweden and Finland.
While recently the New Continental Hockey league has been marketed as competition to the N.H.L. Based in Russian and growing its talent pool rapidly the C.H.L (k.H.L) may be quick to cease on logistics and popularity into expanding it grip on the game. The seemingly endless wallets of Russian oil tycoons (Or mobsters) has its targets on both Russia and Europe's premier players and even the possibility of luring some North American talent as well. As tension in the political world begin to build between the east and west The Future of the two leagues maybe be the battle ground of central Europe.
It must be more than a few exhibitions, once a year for the N.H.L to keep the hearts and dreams of the young stars, the next generation interested in coming overseas. It will take A European Conference with the chance to Compete for the Stanley cup to take the N.H.L to the next level both financial and globally. If Gary Bettman does not see the growing threat or fails to acknowledge the serious threat that lies in Russia, the N.H.L could have more serious problems then Nascar and the N.B.A. They could end up losing what makes the game so great, the title of the Greatest Hockey league in the world.
Wow yes very true. I never thought about this but it really could happen. scary really. If Lebron James and Kobe Bryant could talk about it imagine what would happen to the American market if Sidney Crosby went. What would E.S.P.N have to talk about. Great article dude. Cheers.
its the KHL
Континентальная Хоккейная Лига translated to english means continental hockey league. Now Understandably there is a conflict between the Canadian hockey league and the other American league called C.H.L but I am neither American nor Canadian and i don't plan on changing the name to suit those readers. The media has granted the name K.H.L but translate it from Russian and its c.h.L and in European media it has the name C.H.L
the NHL will always have something the KHL will never have,the stanley cup
KHL just buy Chinese fake Stanley Cup, nobody tell the difference! They change Anzhelika Vyacheslav name to Sidney Crosby too, nobody know the difference! KHL wins.....
I think it will be a good thing in the long run to have the NHL deal with a little bit of competition. Granted, we are not comparing apples to apples, the KHL is not even close to being an NHL, but if they continue to be funded with deep pockets, the league needs time to grow. But there is an opportunity for a KHL to grow because the NHL as not done much outside North America. Sorry participating in International events does not count. Trying to keep their own teams from folding has the the priority. A little competitions never hurt, and maybe push the NHL to evaluate how it runs its own affairs. Maybe even reconsider the blocking of expansion in Canada. NHL has nothing to worry about now, but defiantly have to be thinking about it.