[Dr. Sivana]

The cup was broadcast in primetime on NBC.

Shows how much I follow TV these days. The best since 1974 (when it was also on NBC) ratings tells us two things.

1. The NHL would do well to stick (in the U.S.) with northern big market cities. The ratings were much better with Chicago-Philadelphia than they would be with Carolina-Minnesota.

2. Get the best deal you can for exposure. ESPN2 is better than the Field and Stream network. NBC is better than either.

Because of the importance of Canada in the NHL, they are in a sticky position. I think a Maple Leafs-Bruins matchup would be incredle for US/Canada ratings (nothing against the Rangers, just that Boston's market isn't split three ways).

[driftless2]

I will say the Stanley Cup is the only time I watch the NHL. The NHL has the same problems all the other major sports team have: too many teams. Years ago you could get behind some forlorn team because they hadn’t won for umpteen years. Now there are about thirty teams in all the leagues, and the talent is diluted. I can’t get excited about the Florida Marlins, the San Jose Sharks, or some other nondescript team. And I liked hockey when it’s teams were mostly from Canada or the northern U.S. cities. It’s more interesting to read about the wishes and desires of a long-suffering resident of Winnipeg than it is to read about someone from Dallas whose knowledge of hockey is minimal. Even though my knowledge of hockey is minimal. (smirk)

[Jakarta ex-pat]

How soccer (football) is ruining America?

Obama? YES

Illegal Immigration? YES

Soccer?

Hardly. People often say music is the international language of the world ( In other words, if you travel and play an instrument, you can speak to others whatever their nationality)

I would put forward soccer ( football) comes a close second.

First, if you become an expatriate, one of the easiest ways to make friends is through soccer ( I'm currently the chairman of the JIFL ( Jakarta International Football League ) and we have teams from Japan, Germany, Latin America, Denmark, as well as numerous others. Our refs as well as approximately 20 players are also Indonesian, so we don't exclude the locals.

Second, soccer is the ultimate easy to play sport as you only need the ball. But most importantly, especially if you do business abroad, whether you are in Iraq, England, China, or Timbuktu, you are a real ignoramus if you can't talk Pele, Rooney, Zidane or Maradona.