NBC Hockey Nixes Hull

Monday, June 18, 2007



What do you do if your sport is losing viewers by the minute? People can't find your games on Cable, and you get one game a week on a major Network. Well you get rid of the only guy on the program who attracted attention.

Some liked him....some thought he was a little biased last year, but it appears that Brett Hull is being dropped from NBC after just one season. On Friday NBC Analyst Ray Ferraro told a Vancouver radio station that Hull had been let go.

Look we know pretty much every Championship Game/Series this year has been dreadful, so I'm not going to pick on Hockey. Buuuut seriously NBC....What are you thinking? Hull was right on when talking with Don Cherry about how the game needs to be changed. I enjoyed the Hockey I watched during the Stanley Cup Finals, and even considered checking in on Brett and company during the regular season next year.

If he's not involved I'll probably pass....well, unless this guy is his replacement. That way I can chuckle when he tells fans that "He doesn't want them at the rink."

Posted by Awful Announcing- at 10:24 AM

10 Comments:

If you watched more of Brett Hull then the one time during the Stanley Cup Finales (the one time he was actually decent) you would know why it was a very good thing that NBC let him go.

He was a mix of Joe Morgan (Oh yes, I went there) and a poor mans don cherry... not even close to the greatness that is the Donster, but he tried to be like him and failed.

Unknown said...
Jun 18, 2007, 11:16:00 AM  

Thanks for that Jeff.

The only point that I wanted to make is that...any press is good press. When you're saying asinine things people watch even more.

Jun 18, 2007, 11:36:00 AM  

I agree with Awful too. Yeah he wasn't particularly good, and apparently he was really ill-prepared in the studio most of the time during the season, which is probably what lead to him being canned more than anything else.

But he was the only American based personality who generated any kind of attention. I don't like Roenik at all, but he'd be great. I felt like Hull, at times, was tryingt o be edgy for the sake of being edgy, I think Roenick is edgy because that's his personality.

Jibblescribbits said...
Jun 18, 2007, 11:45:00 AM  

This just goes to show you how badly the NHL wants to kill hockey.

Hull was a refreshing change from the a** kissing analysts we've come to know and despise in MLB and NFL. He's honest, straight forward and says a lot of things fans think. What's not to like?

Yet, he gets let go probably because the league has issues with his honesty cutting too close to the truth. The NHL wants a sanitized, up with people version of the sport here in the states because let's face it, the game in this country has become a joke both on the ice and on the air.

It kills me because I love hockey and want so badly for it to come back. But once again the NHL makes it impossible for that to happen.

Chip Ramsey said...
Jun 18, 2007, 12:12:00 PM  

Chip, this decision was NBC's alone. The league has nothing to do with this. (After the Preakness Incident, do you believe that the NHL has any power with NBC?)

Yes, NBC needs a "personality" to attract attention to their hockey broadcasts. No, Brett Hull wasn't the right man for the job. Jeff had it nailed with his Joe Morgan comparison.

NBC should try to pry Darryl Reaugh away from Dallas.

Jun 18, 2007, 2:05:00 PM  

NBC doesn't know how to do anything half-way. Look at their ratings! And to think the NHL gave them a contract extension.

TJX said...
Jun 18, 2007, 4:43:00 PM  

Don't know how well prepared he was or not for the broadcasts, but I sure liked the edge he brought to the usual plain vanilla commentary by Clement and Ferraro who is oh so polite to everyone. The NHL needs all the help it can get a bit of spice in the broadcast booth wouldn't hurt.

jebworks said...
Jun 18, 2007, 6:52:00 PM  

It looks like Hull was the one who decided on leaving. He is taking on a bigger front office role in Dallas.

http://www.startribune.com/1330/story/1253698.html

jkrdevil said...
Jun 18, 2007, 7:03:00 PM  

Thank God. He was horrendous. Added nothing of value.

DCSportsChick said...
Jun 19, 2007, 8:22:00 AM  

nbc announcers suck. they are so biased to teams and players it is unbelievable. alex ovechkin is brought up over and over during the broadcast it is extremely annoying and i want to beat each of its announcers into the ground. nbc obviously sucks cock and its choice in commentators reflects just how much they suck. if ovechkin walked by one of these faggots they would be grabbing for his little dick. nbc are pussies. i have lost all respect for that faggot ass network and i wish i could drop a nuclear bomb on their headquarters. GO FLYERS!!!

Anonymous said...
Apr 19, 2008, 1:53:00 PM  

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