Going off ice with two of the league’s marquee players – Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby – could also prove to be compelling. “We’ll be following them as they deal with the pressure of being a parent, husband and hockey player.” “We’re taking these players off the ice and into their homes,” Greenburg said. Some of the attraction is based on a soap-opera effect. This means Bettman can count on plenty of eyeballs outside the hardcore, casual viewers checking out “24/7” including a similar younger demographic “Hard Knocks” delivers. No breakdown is available, but we can safely say the universe of HBO subscribers is not dominated by hockey fans.

“I guarantee the sport of hockey has never been showcased in the way we are going to present it.”Īnd the NHL has never had the opportunity to reach the audience HBO can deliver. “We’re just seeing the doors fly wide open,” Greenburg said. Greenburg said referees may even wear mikes. Players, coaches, GM’s and owners of the participating teams are already wearing microphones during games. That means total access throughout the series, which ends the week following the New Year’s Day matchup on the pond atHeinz Field.

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