NHL lies about public opinion on digital boards.

PUBLICATION

Ryan Hall
September 15, 2023 (1:04)

SHARE THIS STORY

The NHL, under Gary Bettman, has tried numerous gimmicks and tricks to boost their bottom line, all in the name of improving the fan experience. I can remember a time when the NHL and Fox Sports, back in the late 1990s called the FoxTrax. They attempted to implement a glowing system on the puck, claiming it would make it easier to track on television.

Whenever the puck was in play, it would appear blue, and when a player took a slap shot or a wrist shot, the puck would turn red.

However, this gimmick only lasted one season, as the fan base disliked it so much that Fox decided to remove it from their lineup. The latest gimmick has been these digital signboards that have been installed to display certain types of ads relevant to the television audience in the area where the game is being broadcasted.

What's interesting about these boards is that they sometimes interrupt the regular shots of the arena, providing a completely different look compared to the digital ones.

Of course, the biggest problem arises when the technology doesn't work, causing the players to appear as if they're on malfunctioning green screens.

According to oilersnation.com, the NHL claims that feedback suggests the digital boards make the game easier to watch. I watched many games last season, and I didn't find them helpful at all; in fact, they hindered the viewing experience quite a bit and were rather annoying.

The NHL could explore other ways to generate revenue through digital ads, such as offering a better streaming service that eliminates geo-locking, similar to DAZN in NFL football. This would eliminate blackouts so all teams are available to everyone and allow them to display as many sports-related ads as they desire on such an app.