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Channeling Houston: Cherry’s Heir Apparent

Monday, May 11th, 2009 | Author:
Paying homage

Paying homage

Don Cherry is old and senile and will soon have to retire from Coach’s Corner. In the past few weeks he’s dropped the f-bomb (although the CBC had it removed from public record), and attacked the “lefties” from out of nowhere as the picture of a killed RCMP officer is flashed on air. Hey, par for the course from the right-wing fruitcake, right?

My enthusiasm for his inevitable departure is tempered somewhat by the realization that the CBC is grooming Mike Milbury as his successor right before our eyes. Another former Boston Bruin, who parlayed a half-decent playing career and a disastrous managing career into a seat at the broadcasting table is sure to be the next Don.

During the hot stove on Saturday night, Al Strachan and Pierre Lebrun were outlining the logical limitations of Jim Balsillie’s bid to bring a franchise to Southern Ontario, just as StephD did in the comments section a few posts ago (I promise not to use the adjective “logical” to portray Strachan ever again). Then, at the 3:10 mark, McLean released the hound:

Some gems for those without YouTube access:

- Why are we giving this guy the time of day, the arrogant buffon?

- For crying out loud, you’ve got your money why not go to your Wednesday night club and tell the guys “I’m shooting for the moon here, I’m bringing a team to Southern Ontario”? Come on!

- Just because you have a few extra bucks doesn’t mean you can go to any country club and get in, it’s a clubhouse! Act like a decent human being.

- (people from Southern Ontario) just want a hockey team, they’re just jealous.

Ahem. So the man best known for jumping into the stands to beat a fan with his own shoe is now the go-to authority on hockey matters at Hockey Night In Canada? I’ll tell you what an arrogant buffoon is: selecting a lifetime goon (Chris Nilan) to the All-Star team because he’s a player on your team is arrogant buffoonery. Trading away the best up and coming goaltender (Roberto Luongo) only to pick another goalie in the draft is arrogant buffoonery. Successively trading Zdeno Chara, Wade Redden, Olli Jokkinen, Zygmund Palffy, Bryan Berard and Jason Spezza from a perpetually losing New York Islanders team is the epitome of being an arrogant buffoon. Heck, he was such an arrogant buffoon that he made the backup goalie look so good they eventually chose him as GM.

And what of this country club to which Jim Balsillie is trying to gain access? I’ve often read or heard people dismissively refer to the NHL as an “Old Boys Club”. Now we have confirmation. It is just flat out strange that the crux of Milbury’s argument is borrowed from those that denied people of colour country club memberships decades after the civil rights movement. Act like a decent human being, indeed!

Fear not Cherry fans, when the Don finally decides it’s over, Mad Mike will step right in and it will be as if no change was made. Ron McLean better make sure his shoes are fastened very tightly.

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Frozen Vulcan: Declaration of War

Thursday, May 07th, 2009 | Author:
Bettman to Balsillie: Youve sunk my battleship

Bettman to Balsillie: You've sunk my battleship

Even in the spotlight of another Pens-Caps playoff game, the most compelling story yesterday was the Balsillie-Bettman death match. Sager over at Out of Left Field has a nice wrap-up of the online journalistic chatter. The best segment of the night belonged to Scott Morrisson and Jeff Marek who were tracking developments in the story. I think my favourite part of the whole day was reading somewhere that a source described Bettman as “apoplectic” when he heard what Balsillie was trying to pull. There’s just something about picturing Gary Bettman losing his shit that gives me a warm feeling.

You see, I’ve been seen as something of an apologist for Bettman in the past. I’ve often found myself defending him to friends and colleagues because I think he’s been unfairly vilified in the Canadian media. I’m not going to revisit now, because those days are over for me. This is a formal declaration of war against the Little Napoleon, and I hope every Canadian joins me in this battle.

It has become clear that whatever plan the NHL had to conquer the US market is now dead. Franchises that bleed money and need to be bailed out by the league are a cancer that needs to be eradicated. Owners of NHL teams  need to realize this, and realize that though there is a place for most US teams in the NHL, the real money to be made resides where the passion is strongest, and that is Canada.

There isn’t room for one more team in Southern Ontario: there’s room for two more. There’s room for another team in Montreal, and Winnipeg and Québec deserve to have their favourite sport represented at  the highest level of competition in which that sport operates. I’ve argued against the reality of these things in the past, but I believe now is the time to pounce. If the rumour that the Lightning want to move to Winnipeg holds any water, well it’s time for other NHL governors to man-up and give this thing a kick in the ass. If Atlanta is struggling as badly as we think it is, then it’s time to explore relocation to a market that will go absolutely ape-shit (in a good way) when it finds out it’s getting an NHL franchise. Same goes for Nashville and Miami.

You see, I had my moment of clarity when I compared how Bettman reacted to a franchise being moved south from Québec and Winnipeg to the current Balsillie struggle of moving a team North of the border. The man corellates the loss of a US franchise to a Canadian city as a personal affront to the master plan he and the NHL governors had of landing a huge US television contract. That payday is not coming. We’re a stone’s throw away from the NHL having to pay a major network for air time. The real television money is here in Canada, as the CBC and CTV Globemedia continue raising the ante at every negotiation. Throw in a couple more Canadian teams and the stakes get doubly serious.

Mr. Balsillie’s got his teeth sunk deep into the NHL’s flesh, and this time he ain’t letting go, to the benefit of all Canadian hockey fans.

Join the battle at www.makeitseven.ca

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The Twit: More Twit

Monday, May 04th, 2009 | Author:
Hill and Barajas: Leading the charge    

 

 

 

 

Hill and Barajas: Leading the charge

- Holy Jumpin’ Bejesus, Batman! I didn’t realize this today, but Sportsnet are showing every American League East team on their network tonight, with Red Sox/Yankees on Sportsnet East, while Sportsnet West has Rays/Orioles. The main feed will have Indians/Jays. Wowzers.

- If that wasn’t enough the Penguins and Capitals renew hostilities tonight at 7pm on CBC. We are actually forced to watch it on CBC tonight – we were spoiled with the vastly superior NBC coverage on Saturday afternoon. 

- Vernon Wells stepped to the plate yesterday and sent a bomb to the warning track. Centrefielder Adam Jones, in a full sprint, blew a bubble with his gum. He caught the ball. Anyone else catch that? 

- I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that fewer male “journalists” would be attacking Selena Roberts if she was, say, Erin Andrews. Yes, that’s what I’m saying. Here‘s a good editorial on The Big Lead with more on this issue.

- Rod Barajas is hitting .342.

- I’m not 100% certain, but I think the Jays are 3-0 when Geddy Lee is in his seat behind the plate at Rogers Centre. I’ll make an attempt to track that this year. 

- Speaking of the Rush frontman: do you think if Raul Chavez tried to pull a Joe Montana “John Candy”  moment on Saturday, that the young future ace replied with: “Who the fuck is Geddy Lee?”.

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Channeling Houston:The Death of Sportsnet

Saturday, December 02nd, 2006 | Author:

An ominous bell tolled last night for Canadian broadcaster Rogers Sportsnet, as it was announced that The Score had reached an agreement with the English Premier League to broadcast its games for the next five years, commencing in 2007.

The Premier League was one of Sportsnet’s most prized assets, along with the Toronto Blue Jays. Now the ailing network is left with Jays baseball, sporadic regional NHL coverage and poker. Lots and lots of poker. With the NHL, NFL, CFL and curling securely nestled in the crook of TSN’s arm, and NBA and Premiership at The Score, there isn’t much left for Sportsnet. Perhaps they could mould themselves as MLBTV North? Or put a television camera in radio stations across the country?

Poor Sportsnet can truly feel like the Montreal Expos of sports television. Eight years ago it took a chance on English soccer when no one believed people would watch foreigners play the game early on a Saturday morning. Slowly but surely a loyal following emerged and grew to the point where this year, because of interest produced by the FIFA World Cup, Sportsnet’s soccer ratings doubled and were making a significant dent in the broadcasting landscape. Now The Score gets to reap the rewards (rumours are The Score will also get the rights to Toronto FC’s games).

Sportsnet had also carefully cultivated a partnership with the Canadian Soccer Association, winning exclusive rights to both the men’s and women’s national teams. Then came the deal with the CBC to carry the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, as well as the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Seems like, just as in sports, there is no loyalty in sports broadcasting.

Where does that leave us, the fans? The news that The Score will be broadcasting Premiership and probably Toronto FC matches is a little hard to take, quite frankly. When The Score does live sports broadcasting it always looks second rate, with a community TV feel. James Sharman will be an upgrade on Gerry Dobson as the in-studio host, while Craig Forrest is the dean of former players in Canada as well as a pretty good panelist, and will be missed. My bet is that the quickly gets scooped up. As for Toronto FC, let’s hope they get someone in the booth who truly loves soccer. Say, Sid Seixeiro, with Tim Micallef as his wing man, and Cabbie as a sideline reporter. Throw it to James Sharman in the studio, joined by Craig Forrest or Dick Howard. Yeah, I could live with that.

The bigger question remains the future of Sportsnet. They’re not likely to fade away into the sunset, considering the deep pockets propping it up. When the NFL finally comes into town with Ted Rogers as one of the owners, it will almost certainly pick up all the league’s TV rights in Canada. Until then: more Jays, poker and Bob McCown?

_______________________

With all the changes, let’s recap:

- English Premiership: The Score (August 2007)
- Toronto FC: The Score (probably)
- UEFA Champions League: TSN
- World Cup: CBC
- German, Italian, Spanish, Rest of World: Fox Sportsworld Canada

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Frozen Vulcan: Sharks Sighting

Thursday, October 26th, 2006 | Author:

A rare shark sighting in this part of the world, courtesy The NHL on TSN. With the World Series in a rain delay, it allowed me to check in on one of the top teams in the West, a privilege usually reserved for our Western compatriots and night owls with the Centre Ice package.

First impressions? These guys are good. They look like the Senators did a few years ago when they were buzzing over and around all the competition. Their transition game is probably the most impressive part of their game: these guys pounce on loose pucks like squirrels on cashews. Kyle McLaren really is impressive, it’s like he’s worked quite a lot on his finesse game. The guy is huge, but he’s got such a sweet poke check, very Bourque-like. Patrick Marleau has also impressed me quite a bit, although I’m sure that wouldn’t surprise anyone whose spent any amount of time watching the Sharks. It’s 1-1 against the Red Wings in the third as I write, but there’s no doubt which team is superior.

As much as I harp on announcers in this space, it’s important for me to single out the quality when I see/hear it. Tonight’s game is being described to us via Chris Cuthbert, and man is he smooth. The CBC unceremoniously laid this guy off when their alternative was Bob Cole? Cole must have some dirt on CBC executives that they don’t want out in the public. How else do you explain it? Glenn Healy isn’t nearly as bad when he’s nowhere near a Leafs game or talking about player grievances.

Other notes:

  • It’s official, Tony Romo replaces Drew Bledsoe as the starter in Dallas. After what I saw Monday night, I can’t say this is an upgrade. Looks like a two-horse race in the NFC East (despite what Ital-Dean thinks).
  • Lots of banter on the Leafs-Senators rematch tomorrow. I suppose that’s normal since TSN is broadcasting, so it’s in their interest to hype it up as much as possible (not that I think they’re doing it artificially – not in this case, anyway). I won’t patronize you by reporting what Tie Domi thought of last night.
  • Line of the night: Sports Chickie, who is anglo-bilingual, spots an interesting name on the back of a Red Wings player’s jersey: Leboa. She quips: “That’s French for ‘Big C*ck”. Oh how I love this girl.
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