NLL Insider

Metalhead · #1 03-18-2009, 12:16 PM

All we want is for this game to be on TV, but we are always pushing the ESPNs, NBCs but why dont' they try to get on with Spike TV?

Spike basically made the UFC cool but they have a lot of terrible shows on that station. If you could get some more sports on there like NLL do you think it would work?

Bandits37 · #2 03-18-2009, 01:10 PM

In theory it could work but you'd have to make sure all the games on TV were played in places like Minnesota, Buffalo, Colorado or Toronto. The first time a game gets played on TV and people only see 1000 people there your officially done.

Wings-4-Life · #3 03-18-2009, 01:49 PM

I've actually thought about the NLL on Spike before. It's a stupid channel but I could see our sport on it. Spike TV is better than no TV at all.

swami24 · #4 03-18-2009, 01:56 PM

SI had a recent article detailing how Versus has finally begun to increase viewership by living off of the scraps of other network, and has mad Bull riding a TV draw. I think the problem wit hthem is that they stikll televise a lot of stuff on tape delay, but if they continue to growe, maybe it could work out with a better arraingement.

ESPN2 is still the place to strive for.

Wings-4-Life · #5 03-18-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swami24

SI had a recent article detailing how Versus has finally begun to increase viewership by living off of the scraps of other network, and has mad Bull riding a TV draw. I think the problem wit hthem is that they stikll televise a lot of stuff on tape delay, but if they continue to growe, maybe it could work out with a better arraingement.

ESPN2 is still the place to strive for.

ESPN 2 would be perfect. And what do you mean about better arraignment? The NLL on there? VS TV schedule? More live stuff?

RyanP · #6 03-18-2009, 02:00 PM

Put it on Spike wrap it into a reality show about some of the players.....The American Way!!!

Goose4lax · #7 03-18-2009, 02:03 PM

I Want to be a NLL Star reality challenge. Just like the boxing one they had a few years ago. Or do you want one to follow the current players?

Goose

chuckster · #8 03-18-2009, 02:14 PM

How about Mark Steenhuis on the next Dancing with the Stars? He's fleet of foot and I bet he would have colorful dance shoes.

Seriously, ESPN is the place to be. I wouldn't mind Spike as their main demographic (judging by their programming) looks to be male 18-35.

Realistically, I think they end up on Versus if they go anywhere. And at this point, it's probably going to be the Championship game only.

swami24 · #9 03-18-2009, 03:00 PM

They had a crappy contract with Versus. Games taped delayed and played aty basically whatever hour they felt like. they would advertise Mon at 10 pm EST, and show it at 4:30 pnm and 2:00pm Tues.

ninja 4 hire · #10 03-18-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swami24

They had a crappy contract with Versus. Games taped delayed and played aty basically whatever hour they felt like. they would advertise Mon at 10 pm EST, and show it at 4:30 pnm and 2:00pm Tues.

X-actly, Versus deal tanked. I think Spike would be ok but the NLL seems to be striving for the whole "family friendly" thing. Would you let your 10 year old watch a commercial for MANswers? Good thing there is DVR.

thrillis · #11 03-18-2009, 03:20 PM

there are only 2 ways the NLL is going to get a national tv contract of any worth.

A) Pay out the nose for it and hope over the course of a few years the viewership increases steadily enough that it becomes a profitable production for the station.

B) go out and find major corporate sponsors for the LEAGUE as a whole willing to market the league and make it something worth putting on tv for the stations. how often do you see "this game/race/poker tournament/truck rally/xgames broadcast/etcetc is brought to you by....*insert plethora of media and corporate sponsors and ads here*. when have you ever seen that for the NLL? never. because the NLL doesnt have a proper BUSINESS PERSON involved in the league who knows how to market them. this is where JJ failed horridly. he had all these expansion goals and great plans, however noone with any business sense to take the league to people who can make the league something and get the money invested via sponsorship deals. one company right off the bat probably willing to toss some money at the league is red bull. with the way they sponsor ameteur sports and extreme sport competition, im sure theyd be willing to hop on board with the nll in a sponsorship partnership roll. a few more companies like that, and the nll could find itself as a sudden possible profitible production for tv stations.

remember, where spike may have done alot for ufc, that is becuase they became a corporate sponsor, but the backing of xyience for the ufc and the millions they pumped into it is what gave it the push over the top.

personally, imho, the only viable option for this league is B.

Vin · #12 03-19-2009, 12:43 PM

Our friend ArenaZone who posts lots of sports news here had an article about Versus covering the coming UFL. Meanwhile, Versus' coverage of NHL is pretty good while PBR (bull riding) has become even more popular that, I believe but could be wrong, that PBR is now on NBC and ESPN2. My wife loves PBR. Anyway, if Versus can stabilize and treat its contracts with respect, perhaps should consider Versus again. Versus might want to revisit it too because they are definitely making a distinct effort to become the first national sports broadcast competitor to ESPN.

Meanwhile, I've watched some college lax games on ESPNU. I'm surprised that the attendance so far at these games is not nearly what I thought it should be. Seriously, with ESPN wanting to cover lax given its growth, perhaps it ought to inverstigate the NLL further. At least the NLL does get decent crowds and, over TV, it can sound good and that folks are having a great time. If ESPN covered Philly, Buffalo, Toronto, and Colorado, they'd have games with good crowds and that would help everyone... Hopefully, with exposure, the lesser-attended teams would then grow.

Lyle · #13 03-20-2009, 10:28 PM

Spike did a pretty good job with the AFL when the channel was still TNN so I think they would also do well with the NLL. The biggest problem with any TV for me is the lack of understanding the announcers have for the game. For me any announcer hired to do the games must go through some kind of a training process so when there's any kind of violation, whether penalties or change of possesion fouls the play by play announcer will be able to say it instead of just saying "and now the ball turns over to...".

The nice thing for me if the NLL was on Spike is that I can get the channel with a basic cable package so I'd be able to see all the games shown then. Here in Canada our best hope now maybe TSN 2 which I'd have to upgrade to get.

zmystere · #14 03-20-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vin

Our friend ArenaZone who posts lots of sports news here had an article about Versus covering the coming UFL. Meanwhile, Versus' coverage of NHL is pretty good while PBR (bull riding) has become even more popular that, I believe but could be wrong, that PBR is now on NBC and ESPN2. My wife loves PBR. Anyway, if Versus can stabilize and treat its contracts with respect, perhaps should consider Versus again. Versus might want to revisit it too because they are definitely making a distinct effort to become the first national sports broadcast competitor to ESPN.

Meanwhile, I've watched some college lax games on ESPNU. I'm surprised that the attendance so far at these games is not nearly what I thought it should be. Seriously, with ESPN wanting to cover lax given its growth, perhaps it ought to inverstigate the NLL further. At least the NLL does get decent crowds and, over TV, it can sound good and that folks are having a great time. If ESPN covered Philly, Buffalo, Toronto, and Colorado, they'd have games with good crowds and that would help everyone... Hopefully, with exposure, the lesser-attended teams would then grow.

Vin, just FYI PBR is on Versus and the NPR is what is shown on ESPN. The PBR was spun off by a group of bull riders who threw their money together to start the PBR. The PBR is privately own by the riders and a money manager!

Anyway Versus would be a good second attempt at legitimacy thru the media.

Vin · #15 03-23-2009, 11:03 AM

I did not know that there were two pro bull riding organizations.

That makes sense too because I didn't see a single PBR logo or ad when I was watching.

bontasaur · #16 03-23-2009, 12:41 PM

the NLL is turning canadian boxla into the most 'unmanly' sport on the planet.

guiM · #17 03-25-2009, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose4lax

I Want to be a NLL Star reality challenge. Just like the boxing one they had a few years ago. Or do you want one to follow the current players?

Goose

Yeah!
Enter the contest and win our fabulous grand prize!
A one-year contract with an NLL team that will pay you... $8 000!
And better yet, you get to keep your day job!
What are you waiting for? The chance of a lifetime!

homer19 · #18 03-25-2009, 03:56 PM

you see espn should pick up the nll look at tomorrows schedule for 7-10 pm they have nothing to show. espn is running a few shows like nfl live and baseball tonight then they have classic boxing. on espn 2 its basicly poker on all night. hmmm what can go on that schedule besides those shows. espn or espn 2 could show some nhlhockey ( if they had the rights to show them) while espn 2 has a doubleheader of nll action but we'll never see that as espn is just an nba network.

MartyD27 · #19 03-25-2009, 10:43 PM

Maybe NBC Universal Sports could be a possibility? I know it's only supposed to be broadcasting sporting events that are played in the Olympics, but maybe they could make an exception? Just a thought.

guiM · #20 03-30-2009, 11:52 AM

I was gonna say America One but I just found out they had already broadcast the 2008 season (and apparently others before that), although this fact received little mention.
And it was only delayed (at least in 2008). This deal doesn't seem to be in place for the 2009 season.
Also, I think the entire America One schedule was recycled from pre-existing local broadcasts, hence a repetition of games played in Calgary or Toronto.

Tsitshoh · #21 03-30-2009, 12:41 PM

Invest in some HD cameras, get DIY announcers and market as a tape-delay in a partnership with HDNet. They love that kind of stuff. Then make a case for your local cable/satellite company to carry HDNet and tell them that all the NLL fans will upgrade to HD for more money. Then go from there.

http://www.hd.net/

homer19 · #22 03-30-2009, 03:38 PM

there is a way for the nll to get on espn. right now they are disscussing the future of espn classic. one of the plans is to turn it into an espn 3 style channel with some programming and live games. another plan is to swap it with espn u. finally another one is to fold the channel all together. if they change it to espn 3 watch they'll pick up the nll and the nhl. i wonder if they make espn 3 what will they show pro wrestling or jello wrestling or cfl football or world pole dancing championships. espn shows alot of usless crap.

WILaxFan · #23 03-30-2009, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homer19

world pole dancing championships

Count me in as a dedicated viewer!