Most marketable personalities in the NHL? [Archive]

#37-#93-#27*

09-22-2003, 09:00 PM

Laraque? you couldn't find 2 people outside of Edmonton or Canada who know who he is

the most marketable players are Jagr and Hasek for sure

what you're asking is something else..

Ken Daneyko is a good choice. He's also done quite a few radio talk shows here in NY and has gotten good feedback.

Adam Graves and Mike Richter are probably the top guys I can think of.

Honestly those are the best ones I can think of and I know I'm being NY biased. I'm sure other people (devil/islander/flyer fans) would back me up on those players as well.

Other guys are Michael Peca, Marty Brodeur and Mark Messier but I can't see any of them doing anything public.. they just aren't as open as Richter, Daneyko and Graves

The Frugal Gourmet

09-22-2003, 10:00 PM

Mike Modano.

He's American.
He's an Elite Player.
He's Not Married.
He's a GQ cover model.

FacelessButcher

09-22-2003, 10:08 PM

Ensane

09-22-2003, 11:00 PM

Jose Theodore would have been great for this role had he not had a poor season last year and surrounded by allegations all offseason.

Rabid Ranger

09-23-2003, 04:06 AM

Most marketable team: Detroit
Most marketable player: Mike Modano

In the U.S., at least for the most part people embrace winners, and well, Americans. I think that's partly why the NHL is such a tough sell nationally. Most teams have ZERO chance at winning the Cup, and there really isn't an American "mega-star".

balddog66

09-23-2003, 04:11 AM

I don't agree with Modano as being the most marketable player...he's a lot like Sakic, doesn't have much personality and only has something to say when it's something to do with the state of the game...which isn't all bad, but he doesn't grab peoples attention like Lemieux and Hull do when they have something to say.

Lemieux would seem like a decent canidate with his skill, looks and stature, but he has always been sort of shy about marketing himself...just compare his endoresments to Gretzkys in their hayday...

I really think Jason Spezza/Dany Heatley may be the next best marketable stars...personality, skill and appeal.

DarioinDenver

09-23-2003, 05:32 AM

The most marketable players are those with personality who like to communicate, coupled with talent.

I've got my issues with Brett Hull but I will admit that man is marketable.

In Denver, Hinote is the most marketable player with his charisma. If he was a better talent he would make a bigger splash. The problem is most high profile hockey players can be fairly introverted ala Forsberg and Sakic.

discostu

09-23-2003, 05:59 AM

For marketability, Joe Thorton is probably the best guy right now. He's one of the best players in the league, is a rising star, is North American, plays a tough game and plays in a large U.S. market. He'll need a couple of bigger accomplishments though to really become a household name.

Dany Heatley is also someone who's high on this list. Witness his selection as cover boy for EA Sports NHL 2004. Also a rising star, he's also quite a few years away from ever peaking. I also agree that Iginla would be a marketing force in a bigger market as well. Other notables include Todd Bertuzzi, Jay Boumeister, Jason Spezza and Ilya Kovalchuk.

There are a lot of players that are in their early 30's right now because they of the shadow of some of the big name guys. Gretzky, Lemieux, Bourque, Roy, etc. all remained dominant late into their careers (in the case of Lemieux, is still going). It's made it tough for a lot of guys to really get the name recognition, since it's tough to forge your reputation when the previous generation were still dominating in your prime years. As they enter the later years of there careers, the best opportunities have passed them by, which is why all eyes are on the next generation of players.

Joe Sakic is a guy that comes to mind. He has all the traits that you would expect out of a marketable sports superstar, yet he never broke through into mainstream. A lot has to do with his timing. He had some good, but not spectacular seasons when he moved to COlorado. After the big cup winning season and Conn Smythe trophy, he didn't follow up with anything right away.

Sergei Federov was another player that became close. He had some great seasons, and was the focus of Nike's first advertising push, but his play declined and couldn't sustain the hype. Also, it's tough for mainstream audiences to latch onto a European star, especially Russian. I'm hoping this will change in the future, but I don't think it will ever go away completely.

Goal scoring is the other major issue. Hockey offence peaked in the eighties. I don't think we'll ever hit that point again. This is a major stumbling block into marketability. When records are being broken regularly, it generates a lot more hype around the sport and its athletes. Look at what McGuire-Sosa did for baseball. It essentially saved the sport. If Naslund, Forsberg, Thorton and company were challenging Gretzky's records, the NHL highlights would take a bigger priority on the late night recaps. They would be covered on the front page of sport sections, instead of being buried, etc.

I'm open to certain changes to the rules to increase scoring, but I don't want to see massive changes that completely throw the sport into chaos. The smart fans will recognize when the offence is artificially created, but the NHL is not looking to increase their level of smart fans. They want the masses.

Grizzly Adams

09-23-2003, 07:04 AM

Iginla, Bertuzzi, Kovalchuk, Koivu and Heatley come to mind.

Rabid Ranger

09-23-2003, 07:26 AM

Iginla, Bertuzzi, Kovalchuk, Koivu and Heatley come to mind.

No offense, but why are these guys marketable?

Teezax

09-23-2003, 07:29 AM

I would have to say JR.
Crafty player, goal scorer, very friendly with the media....good PR....good looking guy, great looking wife. Need i say more.

Skydog

09-23-2003, 08:47 AM

In the U.S., at least for the most part people embrace winners, and well, Americans. I think that's partly why the NHL is such a tough sell nationally. Most teams have ZERO chance at winning the Cup, and there really isn't an American "mega-star".

I don't buy that argument. Baseball is 90% teams that can't possibly win. It is a far worse off league than hockey at league-wide competition. Basketball is another sport where most teams can't win especially in the playoffs where upsets never happen. In hockey, teams like Carolina, Florida, Anaheim and the such have made it to the Stanley Cup finals in recent years. Upsets happen in hockey, so most teams don't have a zero chance at winning.

I think the main problems for the NHL being a tough sale in the US is that;

1. Most kids don't grow up playing Hockey
2. People like me who grew up on the beach or in other warm weather areas are just never exposed to the sport. (once I was exposed to hockey, it quickly became my favorite sport)
3. Bad Marketing

Foppa

09-23-2003, 08:54 AM

I think there is a distinct difference between being the most marketable 'franchsie' and being the most marketable team.

I think Detroit is the most marketable franchise because they have the history, the quirks, the reputation, the classic 'look', and have backed it all up with recent success.

I think Colorado has to be considered the most marketable team right now, at least in the U.S. A team like Ottawa or Vancouver under the same exposure would also be up with them. The majority of casual fans want to see up-temp, high-scoring hockey. And critically, unlike Ottawa or Vancouver, Colorado has a bunch of veteran, star names doing the job for the most part, and the casual fan is going to know them far more than the hot-young studs. If the NHL has been looking for a poster child of up-tempo hockey, there's a good chance it could be re-born in Denver this year.

People complain that ESPN has a hard-on for the Avs and Wings...but there is a reason for it. Well, a couple. ESPN's scope of hockey is poor and the Wings and Avs are teams that draw. Again, I'm looking at this totally from a U.S. perspective.

blitzkriegs

09-23-2003, 08:57 AM

3. Bad Marketing

agreed. the NHL is the worst marketed sport of the big four...the NHL lacks the household names of other sports...and ESPN (US) doesn't do a fair job of trying to market the game/players either....even worse since they got the NBA

franchise player

09-23-2003, 08:57 AM

Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley for sure! They're both very marketable. Who wouldn't like to have them in their teams? Also, they're good at promoting the sport as an invidual.

Ajacied

09-23-2003, 09:00 AM

Sergei Fedorov..

- Played his entire career in hockeytown USA
- Ana Kournikova, arguably world's most marketable sportswomen..

The Frugal Gourmet

09-23-2003, 09:03 AM

I think the most marketable franchise is the NY Rangers.

I think the most marketable team is the Colorado Avalanche.

The Philadelphia Flyers are also pretty marketable, IMO.

tmg

09-23-2003, 09:04 AM

That whole 'assaulting a police officer' arrent and charge kinda makes Joe Thornton a less-than-ideal embassador for the sport. Yes, the charges were stayed - contingent on apology and community service - but the fact remains he assaulted police officers.

Foppa

09-23-2003, 09:16 AM

I think there is also a difference between who the NHL is trying to market and who the media actually does market.

At his age, it certainly isn't in the leagues best long-term interest to make Mario their poster boy...but don't tell the media any differently. He still has the star power even if he's on the injured list. He doesn't have to open his mouth. If he has a golf tournament or fund-raiser, its covered. When he goes on his farewell tour this season...sheesh...look out.

Heck, these days, it seems being a complete lunatic helps your marketability, whether your league likes it or not.

09-23-2003, 09:26 AM

I think the main problems for the NHL being a tough sale in the US is that;

1. Most kids don't grow up playing Hockey
2. People like me who grew up on the beach or in other warm weather areas are just never exposed to the sport. (once I was exposed to hockey, it quickly became my favorite sport)
3. Bad Marketing

I totally agree. Most people in Britain have never seen a game live. However every person I've ever taken to a game has loved it, and most continue to attend games.

Liam

Rabid Ranger

09-23-2003, 11:05 AM

I don't buy that argument. Baseball is 90% teams that can't possibly win. It is a far worse off league than hockey at league-wide competition. Basketball is another sport where most teams can't win especially in the playoffs where upsets never happen. In hockey, teams like Carolina, Florida, Anaheim and the such have made it to the Stanley Cup finals in recent years. Upsets happen in hockey, so most teams don't have a zero chance at winning.

I think the main problems for the NHL being a tough sale in the US is that;

1. Most kids don't grow up playing Hockey
2. People like me who grew up on the beach or in other warm weather areas are just never exposed to the sport. (once I was exposed to hockey, it quickly became my favorite sport)
3. Bad Marketing

I stand by my original statement. Most teams in the NHL have zero chance at winning a championship. The NHL also suffers from the lack of a prominent American who transcends the sport. That might offend non-Americans, but the reality of the matter is, the majority of NHL teams are U.S. based.

discostu

09-23-2003, 11:29 AM

I stand by my original statement. Most teams in the NHL have zero chance at winning a championship. The NHL also suffers from the lack of a prominent American who transcends the sport. That might offend non-Americans, but the reality of the matter is, the majority of NHL teams are U.S. based.

I don't think that the sport needs more prominent Americans playing the sport. It helps out during the Olympics and such, but it's not that big a factor. Most American fans probably have little trouble relating to Canadian players. I think there is a lot of trouble relating to the European players though.

I also disagree with your statement that most teams have zero chance of winning a championship. Every team does have a chance, however, the richer teams have more options to maximizes their chances year-in and year-out to win a cup, while a smaller market teams have a much smaller margin for error.

Of the 4 major sports, the NHL probably ranks 2nd in terms of competitive balance. I would still like to see the competitive balance situation improved, but it's not as severe as you indicate.

The Frugal Gourmet

09-23-2003, 11:30 AM

Gags1288

09-23-2003, 11:36 AM

For the flyers, it's easily Jeremy Roenick. His personality and his style of play make him very marketable. Even the non-hockey fans can enjoy his play with his big hits and dazzling moves. He appears in tons of commercials also, which says that he was identified as the most marketable. He's the flyers star and his personality makes him very much a people person.

JasonMacIsaac

09-23-2003, 01:04 PM

Mike Danton!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

evman150*

09-23-2003, 02:19 PM

Things to take into consideration are...
1) on ice work
2) community work
3) media friendly
4) looks

I'd add to that list being North American. Being American even better. That's why Mike Modano is probably the best, along with Jeremy Roenick.

Also, If Jarome Iginla played in the US, he would be HUGELY marketable. All he is missing is being American.

Ensane

09-23-2003, 02:27 PM

Mike Danton!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
He means marketable for the NHL ... not for an online dating service. :p

#37-#93-#27*

09-23-2003, 02:57 PM

Hitman*

09-23-2003, 03:13 PM

No offense, but why are these guys marketable?

If you read articles on Iginla (mainly an SI one done in Feb 2002), seen the guy talk on TV etc, you'd see why. Being black helps appeal to the black community as well.

Bertuzzi, just look at the guy. He looks like a hockey player, he's been on TV alot, he's a bruiser.

Koivu. The guy had cancer and overcame it. An other sport (or in a city like NY), he'd be a God.

Heatley is just a cool looking guy and the future superstar of the league. He's a marketing gem.

Better question is, why aren't they marketable?

evman150*

09-23-2003, 03:17 PM

Mike Modano..

You won't be able to find 5 casual people that know who he is.

isn't part of being marketable to be well known or something?

Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe.. Mario Lemieux, not Mike Modano

Ok. So, according to you, the NHL has only one (ONE) marketable player? And that one (ONE) player is almost finished his career. I guess the league's in trouble then eh?

Um....no.

#37-#93-#27*

09-23-2003, 03:19 PM

Ok. So, according to you, the NHL has only one (ONE) marketable player? And that one (ONE) player is almost finished his career. I guess the league's in trouble then eh?

Um....no.
Um.. yes.

evman150*

09-23-2003, 03:25 PM

Um.. yes.

Then by your logic, the other three major sports are in even more trouble than the NHL, considering none has the "transcending" talent that the NHL has at the moment. That is, according to your definition of a marketable player.

MLB: Barry Bonds - Nope.
NBA: Kobe Bryant - Nope.
NFL: ?

Sticky*

09-23-2003, 04:52 PM

Based on looks Pyatt would probably be the most marketable. And considering he is an up-and-coming power forward, he seems to have the talent to back it up.

Baron Von Shark

09-23-2003, 06:05 PM

I agree with a lot that has been said in this thread. I think being an American would help, you need to be young and good looking, etc.

However, let's look at this: Yao Ming. Here is a guy who is not American, and in fact a citizen of Communist China. He's ugly, odd looking, and he can't even speak English.

Well, all that counters the arguement that you need an American. The guy was in Gatorade commercials, Apple Computers campaigns, and the NBA heavily marketed the guy as well.

My point? A good marketing dept. can market anyone. The NHL doesn't have any popular stars because the NHL is garbage when it comes to selling a product.

Someone mentioned the Nike commercials featuring Fedorov. Great example. Here's a company that knows how to sell things. I remember I was in grade school when those commercials came out, and all the kids knew who Fedorov was, and I'm from N.California, not a hockey hotbed. Here's another example of a Non-American that was marketed well.

So, once again, good marketing can sell anything/anyone.

evildreams

09-23-2003, 08:40 PM

player: jean-sebastien giguere (thanks to the media and his historical run plastered all over sportscenter nightly, even non-hockey fans are aware of 'jigs'; plus, most new to the sport dig anaheim's uniform (logo+colors), he has a likeable personality, and his team hails from one of the largest North American markets)

team: colorado avalanche (it's not even close: selanne, kariya, hejduk, forsberg, sakic, blake, tanguay, foote, morris; are you f-ing kidding?)

IkeaMonkey*

09-23-2003, 08:49 PM

It's terribly hard to market players at all in the US. Look at the other 3 big sports. Football and Basketball, you can track/cheer for/watch your favorite players grow up in front of your eyes by turning on ABC/ESPN/CBS/NBC for NCAA Football/Basketball games. Hockey, someone can't pick up and learn about their teams draft pick unless they do some heavy research or unless the player is from college and you are a fan of college hockey.In my opinion a way to change this is to get rid of the junior age qualifications for the AHL/ECHL.

Then Baseball is easily marketable because of it's simplicity.Hit the ball, make sure to keep it within the boundaries and run. There are no icing, twoline and offsides violations. Why are those players heading to the bench and more players coming out, dont they call a timeout to do that????

The foreign appeal of the NHL also isnt there to casual fans. I can't tell you countless times I'll talk to a non-hockey fan and they will just plain out botch a russian/slovakian/european name. "How about that Fishkadishki? ahaahhah"....The other sports you dont have to worry about that because for the most part, the talent is home grown and if it is not, it's overhyped by the american media(Ichiro,Matsui, Yao Ming).

And in response to the question, I'd say Thornton easily.

Tricolore#20

09-23-2003, 09:00 PM

I've always been interested in this topic.

You look in the world of football ,and you have David Beckham, the ultimate marketing dream.

Good looking, decent footballer, superstar wife. He appeals to man, woman, kids, people from all over the world...

Hockey's equivalent?

I would have said Jose Theodore , had he not have run into troubles with his play last season, and his family's problems this summer. He is a fresh face, and bilingual (which helps) and seems to be a cool guy.

Other than him, I would agree with the Iginla assessment. He is extremely talented, and very media friendly. His race also helps. Hes multi-ethnical, and that has wide appeal everywhere.

IkeaMonkey*

09-23-2003, 09:07 PM

I've always been interested in this topic.

You look in the world of football ,and you have David Beckham, the ultimate marketing dream.

Good looking, decent footballer, superstar wife. He appeals to man, woman, kids, people from all over the world...

Because basically he is the primadonna of England/the World's national sport.His clutch kicks for England in international competition pump the hype juice through the roof, since England is arguably the best country for soccer from a fanbase point of view.When you are the posterboy for the world's biggest fanbase for the world's most popular sport, you gain popularity internationally.Looks also play a part in that, which is why David Seaman isnt very iconish :x.

Hockey's equivalent?

I would have said Jose Theodore , had he not have run into troubles with his play last season, and his family's problems this summer. He is a fresh face, and bilingual (which helps) and seems to be a cool guy.

Other than him, I would agree with the Iginla assessment. He is extremely talented, and very media friendly. His race also helps. Hes multi-ethnical, and that has wide appeal everywhere.

Theodore? kokokokokokokkokokokokokkok1okoaksokakaahhahahaahh

It can't/never will be a goalie.It's gotta be a fresh faced kid, who you can stick the camera in front of off AND on the ice.Goalies have that mysterious mystique which holds them from being prettyboys.

lux_interior

09-23-2003, 09:27 PM

Ken Daneyko is a good choice. He's also done quite a few radio talk shows here in NY and has gotten good feedback.

Did you forget about this criteria?

Things to take into consideration are...
4) Looks

:dunno:

Ha! I'm just kidding, I love Kenny Daneyko. Personally with my vast knowledge of marketing :rolleyes: I would choose Joe Thornton or Dany Heatly. Both are outgoing and skilled, which Americans (I can't speak for Canadians) love. Not Sergei Fedorov. He's too reserved despite his on ice talent. I don't think that would be a good fit for the NHL nor Fedorov.

For team, it's either Detroit or Colorado. The Rangers would be marketable if their on ice performance wasn't so poor recently.

Team_Spirit

09-23-2003, 10:11 PM

Dany Heatley , no doubt ... the next great warrior , he's the future of the league .

Martin Brodeur starts to take his place as the real no1 of the league , he gets more of the spolight and i think it's his time to shine now with Hasek not in his prime and Roy out . Young goalie are around but they have to put some back too back great season before comparing themself Stars like Marty .

Koivu , if he put another good complete season we will be in the mix for sure .

Bertuzzi seem pettry funny , he's like whoa :joker: i love his TV commercial ( beer )

Mr. Pickles

09-24-2003, 11:34 AM

Tie Domi. :)

Murphy*

09-24-2003, 03:06 PM

MrMackey

09-24-2003, 03:11 PM

Paul Kariya: Multi-ethnic, plays at a high skill level, coming off an appearance in the finals and a much-publicized move to a higher-profile team, very friendly guy.

Jerome Iginla: Big, strong power-forward scoring machine. Also multi-ethnic but plays in a much smaller market on a team that never goes anywhere.

Anson Carter: Also multi-ethnic, has some skills, plays in NA's biggest market, is very media savvy, kind of eclectic in style (would stick out like a sore thumb in Edmonton with his huge dreads, and velvet track suit).

Mike Modano: American, single, good-looking, highly skilled, on a great team.

Joe Thornton: Hockey's version of the high school quarterback

Dany Heatley: Young, tons of skill and potential, central figure of an emerging team in a huge media market, on the cover of NHL2004.

MileHigh

09-25-2003, 05:31 AM

I think in a few years Heatley will be the face of the NHL. He just has that look with the teeth and the hair like he doesn't give a damn.He's also got personality and plenty of skill.

Ironchef Chris Wok*

09-25-2003, 06:27 AM

Joe Sakic is a guy that comes to mind. He has all the traits that you would expect out of a marketable sports superstar, yet he never broke through into mainstream. A lot has to do with his timing. He had some good, but not spectacular seasons when he moved to COlorado. After the big cup winning season and Conn Smythe trophy, he didn't follow up with anything right away.

Well...
1) I absolutely love the guy, but I think he'd have trouble marketing hockey to anybody outside that 15 mile radius around Burnaby BC. The guy has about as much controversy and "bite" as 5 day Soda left open in the fridge. I love the guy, nothing but class, a great role model for other athletes, but he's simply too BORING for most people.

discostu

09-25-2003, 06:33 AM

Well...
1) I absolutely love the guy, but I think he'd have trouble marketing hockey to anybody outside that 15 mile radius around Burnaby BC. The guy has about as much controversy and "bite" as 5 day Soda left open in the fridge. I love the guy, nothing but class, a great role model for other athletes, but he's simply too BORING for most people.

About as controversial as that Gretzky guy.

evildreams

09-25-2003, 06:52 AM

heatley, thornton, hossa, spezza, giguere, bouwmeester, gaborik, kovalchuk, luongo

there's plenty to choose from

Ironchef Chris Wok*

09-25-2003, 06:57 AM

About as controversial as that Gretzky guy.

It's not really what I meant. I mean, he's such a nice guy, there's nothing INTERESTING about him. He has the worst soundbytes EVER. Nothing interesting. EVER. It's always the "media-standard" answer. ALWAYS.

I love the guy, he'd probably be a cool guy to hang out with from time to time, but he's too boring for MTV.

discostu

09-25-2003, 07:08 AM

It's not really what I meant. I mean, he's such a nice guy, there's nothing INTERESTING about him. He has the worst soundbytes EVER. Nothing interesting. EVER. It's always the "media-standard" answer. ALWAYS.

I love the guy, he'd probably be a cool guy to hang out with from time to time, but he's too boring for MTV.

But Gretzky was the exact same way. He was a nice guy, and it served him well. He wasn't the most interesting guy either, but his achievements got him noticed. He became better in front of the camera and microphone because he was in front of it so much. Any time I see the clips from SNL when he hosted it, it reminds me of how awkward he was in front of a camera in the early part of his career. That was during his time in LA as well, so it was well into his playing days as well.

Like I said, the potential for Sakic was there, but he wasn't able to follow-up on his success after the first Colorado cup win. He wasn't going to be a huge media star with the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux, etc., but he could have been a lot more than he did, marketing wise.

lux_interior

09-25-2003, 11:03 AM

Like I said, the potential for Sakic was there, but he wasn't able to follow-up on his success after the first Colorado cup win. He wasn't going to be a huge media star with the likes of Gretzky, Lemieux, etc., but he could have been a lot more than he did, marketing wise.
I have doubts that he would want to be a huge media/marketing star.

gruntsplatter

09-25-2003, 11:54 AM

Just a thought, but Mike Ricci...

The guy looks like a hockey player, You put Mike Modano in an ad and people will think it's for golf or something. Ricci is the quintessential Hockey player physically, he's involved in the community, he's personable and funny and willing to make fun of himself. And he embodies the work ethic and tenacity of the sport without looking like a meat head. He's not a flash player, but he's all hockey.

I personally like the fact that Hockey is the punk rock of sports, generally I hate sports, but I love hockey. I like that there aren't all of these self promoting, arrogant yahoo's selling everything from underwear to soft drinks and so on. Hockey still has it's humility, and that's something lacking from the other major sports, and is a more appealing face for the world to me than what the other sports show the world.

I think the big problem has more to do with Hockey not being a sport you can just go do as a kid, you need ice, you need all kinds of gear, you can't do it in the back yard or the driveway on the Fourth of July or something. That and the proportional neglect by the sprots media. It's easily the most vital, energetic game of the big four, the action is kientic, there are no scheduled stops etc. yet it doesn't get the coverage. Some of the more "obscure" rules and terminology probably boggle the average person who's just tuning in because it's on. You have to know something about the game to understand what's happening.

sparkle twin

09-25-2003, 10:05 PM

Things to take into consideration are...
1) on ice work
2) community work
3) media friendly
4) looks

My vote for player goes to Georges Laraque, he's got his own radio show for heaven sakes.

Most marketable? Hmm, let's think...who has been in almost every magazine/newspaper from Esquire to ESPN the Magazine to USA Today without even playing one game? Oh I know...Jordin Tootoo! Now if he makes the team, and he's given no reason to think otherwise, he would be the most marketable for the sport. He would meet all of those things to take into consideration. We here all know what he does, how he takes time for every fan, how much he goes into the communities, very media friendly as shown by all the articles he's done. He's inspirational to kids and people all over. He's quite good looking, too. The only question is his on ice work in the NHL since he doesn't have any yet. And if he thrives in the NHL, that's even more reason use him as a marketing tool. But if you're strictly talking guys who are already in the NHL, then I guess that would be why no one mentioned him yet.

As far as radio shows go....lots of players have their own radio show. Berehowsky, Fitzgerald, Johnson all had/have their own radio show here.

Cruiser008

07-21-2006, 11:54 PM

As some have suggested that hockey should market their stars better to gain a wider audience, which players are the most marketable in the NHL?

Here's my top 5

Ovechkin
Crosby
Nash
Kovalchuk
Iginla

b0mBa

07-21-2006, 11:55 PM

one of the top personalities is kasparaitis. He and niemenen(when he was a ranger) did an interview on MSG that was funny as hell.

Sting

07-22-2006, 12:02 AM

I'm not sure about Nash/Kovalchuk to be honest. Ovechkin is quite easily #1 mainly because english isn't his first language and he doesn't follow the cliches of Crosby etc.

I don't want this to turn into another "player from my team" thread but I've gotta add Spezza(giggles).

da_pope*

07-22-2006, 12:10 AM

Ovechkin.
He's just an all-star awesome fest extravaganza.

Iginla and Nasuland are also pretty well marketed by Nike.

gohabsgo2010

07-22-2006, 12:15 AM

garth snow

David

07-22-2006, 12:25 AM

I think that Stevie Wonder was one of the most marketable guys that NHL or any sports has had in history...NHL just didn't bother capitalizing on that...and now, it's too late...sigh...

The New Originals

07-22-2006, 12:27 AM

Ovechkin probably.

Liquidrage*

07-22-2006, 12:28 AM

As some have suggested that hockey should market their stars better to gain a wider audience, which players are the most marketable in the NHL?

Here's my top 5

Ovechkin
Crosby
Nash
Kovalchuk
Iginla

Marketability is based on performance more then anything. AO is not fluid in his English, yet I've shown the videos to non-hockey fans and they've been stoked to see him play.And we all now AO got a ton of pub on ESPN.

Greatness sells. Giguere during the playoffs a few years back made a splash and almost got into the comman mans list of known names. That's what it's all about. It's not about marketing as much as making the league showcase the stars.

kihei

07-22-2006, 12:29 AM

I think that Stevie Wonder was one of the most marketable guys that NHL or any sports has had in history...NHL just didn't bother capitalizing on that...and now, it's too late...sigh...

Not too late for Zetterberg, though. There's an awful lot to like about him. And if the league can't market Cheechoo or the Sedins, the NHL is missing a big opportunity.

Anksun

07-22-2006, 12:36 AM

Most marketable personalities, OR most maketable player????

2 different things imo.

1st question: Ovechkin

2nd question: Crosby
_____________

I could barely speak about prospects of my own team 3 years ago, but i knew about Crosby since his early 14th birthday. Everyone who know anything regarding hockey know his name, he's living up to the early hype right now and he's the perfect "ambassador" player of the nhl.

We knew about Ovechkin since he's 15 (might be less, not so sure for him) years old also. He ooze marketable potential. He's there at the draft and looking nervous as a young kid, he's there talking to the media, been quote telling funny stuff. He's a special kid.

Astaroth

07-22-2006, 12:46 AM

Obviously Crosby and Ovy. Kovalchuk too, he's passionate guy that does things that are frowned upon by conservatives but sell to the common denominator; he's brash, taunts and scores goals.

jBuds

07-22-2006, 01:00 AM

I think you have to look at guys like Crosby, Staal, Nash, etc. for this one. Marketability has a lot to do with off-the-ice appeal as well as production. Crosby, Nash, Staal are all producers on the ice, and are young, good looking athletes.

But I'll say Danny Briere :D

Kimota

07-22-2006, 01:04 AM

Sean Avery. NHL keep wanting to market vanilla good boys and that`s why nobody cares. They need a little bit of controversy and make noise for the US to open up to it.

Spetzky

07-22-2006, 01:10 AM

You could have one of those stand-arounds where they go...

"ILYA KOVALCHUK (In Russian), I promise to make a point. To score goals big and small.
To win games, To win the Stanley Cup"

"JASON SPEZZA, I promise to make my teamates better. To look for holes and to exploit.
To make every feed, a feed towards the Stanley Cup."

"SIDNEY CROSBY. I promise to see. To see everything that was meant for me to have. To make
you wince at the scorebored. To make you wince at my victory lap with the Stanley Cup.

"PETER FORSBERG (in swedish). I promise to grit my teeth. To know that every shot blocked, every hit taken, every pass caught means a difference. To make my bones believe, This is worth the Stanley Cup"

Kirk Muller*

07-22-2006, 01:28 AM

Kimota

07-22-2006, 01:33 AM

I don't get it.

Maybe i`m wrong but it may have something to do with Mr. Magoo.

Static

07-22-2006, 01:42 AM

Roenick, because America loves him for some stupid reason...

Form and Substance

07-22-2006, 01:45 AM

Wow no Aki Berg I am impressed.

Draft Guru

07-22-2006, 01:53 AM

I think you have to look at guys like Crosby, Staal, Nash, etc. for this one.

Reading that part quick, I thought you wrote Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young :biglaugh:

I gotta cut back on the speed reading.

Zine

07-22-2006, 02:35 AM

VanIslander

07-22-2006, 03:07 AM

I'm not so sure players like Crosby and Staal are that marketable off the ice; at least to non fans or casual viewers.

Crosby - blah
Staal - boring and cliche on an ESPN interview I saw.
Never heard Nash interviewed.

Like 'em or not, it's players like Ovechkin, Roenick and Hull who make people take notice when they speak.
Excellent point.

It takes an infectious smile, funny remarks and/or bold statements to interest the casual fan.

Gretzky was the face of hockey both on the ice AND just as importantly in terms of marketing in front of the cameras.

Pronger and Shanahan had a lively character in front of the mic and in general and the NHL missed the boat on marketing them when they were younger (though a Pronger, Ovechkin, Luongo campaign would be interesting! different generations, different characters, different sizes, positions, images).

Nalyd Psycho

07-22-2006, 05:11 AM

I think Crosby works as hockey's nice guy star. But you need more than that.

Ovechkin has a great lovable foreigner appeal.

Kovalchuk is great as the arrogant guy who gets the job done.

Rod Brind'Amour as the hardest working man in hockey.

And, because I get one homer pick.
Luongo is probably the most marketable goaltender.

mattihp

07-22-2006, 05:37 AM

I think Crosby works as hockey's nice guy star. But you need more than that.

Pft! Off-ice niceness does not weigh up some of the antics on the ice. A tremendous hockey player with good attitude, but not good enough to be "hockey's nice guy".

KRM

07-22-2006, 06:35 AM

octopi

07-22-2006, 07:19 AM

I think that Stevie Wonder was one of the most marketable guys that NHL or any sports has had in history...NHL just didn't bother capitalizing on that...and now, it's too late...sigh...

Stevie was kind of a quiet guy tho.

AO will be a good one, because he seems to be very outgoing....Well, until all the crazed fans and irritating reporters start turning him into a bitter old guy like Jaromir Jagr.

Senorchris

07-22-2006, 07:24 AM

Suprised that someone hasn't said Lundqvist, or any goalie for that sake. Look at all the young goalies in the league today. Lundqvist, Miller, Luongo, Ward, Backstabber... eh Bryzgalov ( :sarcasm: ), Auld, Lehtonen, Toivonen etc..

Lundqvist seems incredibly marketable, especially as he just made the People Top 100 Most Beautiful People list. If anything's going to make a soccer mom a hockey mom, it's that. :D

octopi

07-22-2006, 07:30 AM

Lundqvist seems incredibly marketable, especially as he just made the People Top 100 Most Beautiful People list. If anything's going to make a soccer mom a hockey mom, it's that. :D

I'm a little confused at Lundqvist making the top 100 beautiful people. If he's on that list, Forsberg should be #1.

Big McLargehuge

07-22-2006, 07:55 AM

Pft! Off-ice niceness does not weigh up some of the antics on the ice. A tremendous hockey player with good attitude, but not good enough to be "hockey's nice guy".

Off the ice he's "hockey's nice guy."

On the ice he's "hockey's little disease."

:)

Jaded-Fan

07-22-2006, 12:36 PM

Blades of Glory

07-22-2006, 12:44 PM

Crosby probably pulls in more endorsment deals than any other NHL player, but he's not really as appealing to a lot of NHL fans, IMO, as Ovechkin is. Ovechkin's style of play is more exciting.

The Joker

07-22-2006, 12:51 PM

Tavares

Ludo

07-22-2006, 01:11 PM

Crosby
Iginla
Ovechkin
Sakic

MXD

07-22-2006, 02:31 PM

Quite surprised there was no mentions for Saku Koivu and Luc Robitaille in the personnalities.

Well, even though Robitaille isn't a player anymore.

Colorado Avalanche

07-22-2006, 02:33 PM

Sakic and Crosby.

Phanuthier*

07-22-2006, 02:38 PM

Easy, Brendan Shanahan. The guy's gonna be running the league within 5 years, you can could on it.

Who was standing on the podium the day the lockout ended? Brendan Shanahan.

Ovechkin is an easy 2nd. Can't believe he got to make the pick for Washington.

Crosby 3rd. He had his own name on a brand before he skated on NHL ice.

Iginla would be 4th. I know last year (possibly this year) he has the highest source of income through marketing (ie. Nike) out of any NHL player. His income from ads brings in more then his base salary.

Jeremy Roenick and Sean Avery always seem to make the news, no matter what. They're also up there too.

barfy2000

07-23-2006, 01:24 AM

Jamie Maclennan

Anyone else see that skit he did on TSN?

:biglaugh: :biglaugh:

fullclip

07-23-2006, 04:40 AM

Quoteless Joe :sarcasm:

Lunatik*

07-23-2006, 05:03 AM

Sakic

Lunatik*

07-23-2006, 05:43 AM

Jamie Maclennan

Anyone else see that skit he did on TSN?

:biglaugh: :biglaugh:that skit was great... McLennan does have a very marketable personality... hell even his road to being a regular NHL goaltender (even in a backup role) is marketable... unfortunately his talent isnt so marketable... stable backup goaltenders who are great in the locker room just dont seem to get the endorsements of an Iginla or Crosby

Cynical TyranT

07-23-2006, 06:08 AM

Its definitely gonna be the guys with personalities.

Ovechkin, Roenick, Kasparaitis, Lundqvist, Selanne. They have to be "stars" too... and Kaspar is close enough to that to be considered, Id say.

I know there's others but I cant think of any...

Rolston would be alright, too.

Shanahan was a good mention.

Jokinen could be if he'd bite his tongue just a tad bit more often.

Canucks19*

07-23-2006, 07:28 AM

souray, riebero, aebicher and a 2nd

Miko

07-23-2006, 07:30 AM

souray, riebero, aebicher and a 2nd

Marketing kings. The NHL is in good hands.

shelley1142

07-23-2006, 03:30 PM

I'm not sure about how marketable most players are but Nash is very marketable. He does a lot of interviews and is used for advetising purposes a lot. He's very nice and outgoing at CBJ autograph signings and he's very active in the community. He was also voted the most eligable bachelor in Columbus.

KL*

07-23-2006, 03:59 PM

It depends... I think if are trying to draw more fans into the game and into the stands, the it's Ovechkin hands down... He does things that lay man even find amazing...

NassauIsles82*

07-23-2006, 04:04 PM

Dipietro, Bertuzzi, Laraque

HandshakeLine

07-23-2006, 04:05 PM

Stevie was kind of a quiet guy tho.

AO will be a good one, because he seems to be very outgoing....Well, until all the crazed fans and irritating reporters start turning him into a bitter old guy like Jaromir Jagr.

You people have no idea how much we miss the old Jagr. Dude was so young, so full of hope, won two cups, living on the top of the world and then his life went into one of those "Afterschool Special" downward spirals.

It all went wrong when he cut the mullet.

Transported Upstater

07-23-2006, 04:05 PM

souray, riebero, aebicher and a 2nd

I laughed out loud at this one :biglaugh:

The Nemesis

07-23-2006, 04:13 PM

If we're talking about people who can sell the game off the ice, then you need an infectious personality. Ovechkin easily fits the bill for this. He always comes across as a nice guy who has a unmatchable passion for the game and has the kind of outgoing personality that is very engaging to listen to. Crosby can market the game based on his stature as the next one, but ever since Crosbymania started and he's been doing interviews, I've noticed that he appears to be "over-coached" on how to talk to the media. He's not even 20 yet and he's already giving entire interviews ripped right from the cliche handbook.

The thing that's too bad is that most of the really engaging personalities are the guys who don't have the star power to market to common fans or non-fans. Grinders, depth guys, backup goalies and the like are often the ones that you hear the stories about, or who give good, fun interviews in their limited opportunities. I remember the Hockey News article about Marc Bergevin and how much of a practical joker and general clown he could be. That would be a great guy to have market the league becuase you can see him having fun. The problem is that he's a nobody when it comes on-ice stardom, he's just not built for that role.

However, if we have to strike a balance between personality and productivity, it's a short list:

Ovechkin
Spezza
Shanahan has the class, but I don't know if he's too serious or not.
Roenick has the personality, but the ship is sailing on his play-based stardom.
Cheechoo struck me as being an engaging personality, but I don't get to see too many interviews. Maybe having him and Thornton in tandem would be a good marketing piece.

#37

07-23-2006, 04:14 PM

Roenick, because America loves him for some stupid reason...

Because he is American?

What the sport really needs is a marketable American. A Mike Richter. An American who backstops an original 6 team who hasn't had glory in 50 years all the way to the cup... in Madison Square Garden. Or a Mike Eruzione type who leads an outclassed team against a hockey superpower and wins it all.

If Madano wasn't such a little ****, he would have been ideal. Oh, well... we have to keep waiting and hope the NHL recognizes the next opportunity when it materializes in front of them.

cbj21

07-23-2006, 04:15 PM

redwingsdude

07-23-2006, 04:41 PM

Gotta agree with a few others who mentioned Shanahan. People have all ready mentioned guys like Roenick, who get out there and say what they feel, and Shanny is that, plus is still an effective scorer. I'd love to see/hear him in a commercial.

Anyone remember this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f54RTt2XWqA

07-23-2006, 04:50 PM

Crosby is such a boring interview. Ovechkin will be the face of the NHL.

07-23-2006, 04:51 PM

If Gomez ends up in LA, it cuold be good for the league.

boltsgirl41922

07-23-2006, 05:00 PM

Marty St. Louis, Sidney Crosby, Henrik Lundqvist, JR, AO, Sean Burke, etc...

HVPOLARBEARS19

07-23-2006, 05:24 PM

The Nemesis

07-23-2006, 05:39 PM

I saw a really good interview with Erik Cole, which wasn't cliche at all...too bad he's not a superstar, otherwise we'd be in luck.
To do well in the American market, I really think the player has to be able to speak English completely fluidly, and being from America would surely help, unfortunately. That's not to say foreign players are not marketable, but Americans relate to other Americans, unless their name is Gretzky.
Roenick was pretty marketable, but was a bit of a jerk...Avery I cannot see the NHL endorsing at all.
I wonder if the NHL could market Gomez...
Crosby would be perfect if he actually had a personality, and AO would be great if his English was a little better.
Brodeur would be good too, he's a pretty household name.
Maybe Kessel will be the suprise, if he has a good season, and actually has a personality, that could be great.
I guess we'll have to see...there are options, it's just about how the NHL does it.

Cole! I completely forgot about him. During the SCFs he was on Hockey Night In Canada during intermission of one of the first couple of games (before he came back) and I was surpised at how well he handled the interview. He may not have that "fun" aura of a guy like Ovechkin, but he seems like a very smart guy and someone who could do a good job of selling the game. I actually can easily see Cole doing broadcasting once his playing days are over.

OvechkinDomination*

07-23-2006, 05:47 PM

Ovechkin. People LOVE hearing and seeing this guy. He got a huge ovatation at the Draft in Vancouver and at the NHL Awards.

octopi

07-23-2006, 05:49 PM

Ovechkin. People LOVE hearing and seeing this guy. He got a huge ovatation at the Draft in Vancouver and at the NHL Awards.

Thats because he appaarently went into the stands and introduced himself to each and every person there.

OvechkinDomination*

07-23-2006, 05:50 PM

Thats because he appaarently went into the stands and introduced himself to each and every person there.

At both the Draft and Awards?

Phanuthier*

07-23-2006, 06:03 PM

For them to be marketable, I think people have to know them first and they have to have done something that has made them marketable - not potentially marketable, akin Hockey's Future's way of evaluating players. I mean, Kessel? Tavaras? What, because they're good players?

Ovechkin and Crosby are anomolies, young players who already established a name in the market, because they have done something in their young careers to make a name for themselves. And by "making a name" I don't mean a small blurb on THN and Hockey's Future's overhype machine on 14 year old players.

redwingsdude

07-23-2006, 06:19 PM

OvechkinDomination*

07-23-2006, 06:32 PM

Crosby is such a boring interview. Ovechkin will be the face of the NHL.

Agreed.

Crosby is like ''Yes well it was a good game team worked hard we all tried together and came out with a win and...''

Ovechkin: ''I score all the goals, i love team and we win game!''

HandshakeLine

07-23-2006, 06:36 PM

Speaking of Erik Cole, anyone see him on Carson Daly's show? (Admitted, I hate Carson Daly, but I couldn't sleep) It seemed like he was a lot more casual with the questions, and didn't use the cliches like Crosby. He said how he felt, and even said that he would "settle it himself" when asked about meeting with Brookes Orpik next time they play.:amazed:

I like that.

What, being an idiot? Not to start the flame war, but really, the last thing you want to do is announce to the league that you're going to "settle" a score, especially after Bertuzzi. If Cole tries anything dirty, the league's going to go after him so quick.

I like AO. A lot. He'll go far for making the headlines with his play and his quotes. Crosby will be more of the Lemieux, quiet type, leading on the ice. The NHL needs both, because both appeal to two different camps.

Someone was talking in the business board about how HBO might be picking up games to show "unrated". I think that alone would cause ratings to soar. All those dirty, mic'ed up moments are great t.v. All the trash-talking, the on-ice commentary, and the goofing off would do more to sell the game than some lame interviews in magazines by journalists who would rather write a fluff piece than a good article.

Sinurgy

07-23-2006, 06:43 PM

Far and away the most marketable player is Ovechkin. He's arguably the most exciting player in the NHL but the kid absolutely ooozes passion and excitement for the game of hockey!! He's got the flavor, the moxy, the swagger, whatever term you'd like to use to describe it, he's got it and he's got it in spades!!! Not to mention Ovy absolutely loves the NHL and living in America. The fact that he's so excited to be here just makes people warm up to him that much more. Honestly if you can't market that, you're an absolute ****ing idiot! Ovechkin can be a household name easily, it'll be a shame if the NHL screws this up.

Second I would probably pick Crosby, simply because he's got that whole heir apparent thing going and even more impressive is that it looks like he's actually going to live up to it.

Crosby/Ovechkin have the potential to do for hockey what Bird/Magic did for basketball or Sampras/Agassi did for tennis. Please don't screw this up Bettman, you've got the ultimate opportunity here!!!

therealdeal

07-23-2006, 06:57 PM

octopi

07-23-2006, 06:58 PM

At both the Draft and Awards?

Just the draft, i think....I didn't read it right the first time.

Kimota

07-23-2006, 07:09 PM

souray, riebero, aebicher and a 2nd

Every discussions should end this way. Until they are all traded. :D

znk

07-23-2006, 08:03 PM

Huet. He can sell wine, bread and cheese.

OhioGuy

07-23-2006, 10:01 PM

Because he is American?

What the sport really needs is a marketable American. A Mike Richter. An American who backstops an original 6 team who hasn't had glory in 50 years all the way to the cup... in Madison Square Garden. Or a Mike Eruzione type who leads an outclassed team against a hockey superpower and wins it all.

If Madano wasn't such a little ****, he would have been ideal. Oh, well... we have to keep waiting and hope the NHL recognizes the next opportunity when it materializes in front of them.

I agree. The league really needs a flashy young American to go to a big market like NY or LA and tear it up his rookie year like Crosby did. I think it would do a TON to getting a larger fanbase in the states.

I think that Ovechkin is the most marketable. Everyone loves it when somone from overseas comes here and makes it big. Ovechkin can speak english and as was stated before, he seems pretty outgoing and media friendly as well.

07-23-2006, 11:03 PM

The hype last season shows Crosby was the most marketable by a mile. Today i think he still is on the top as the most wanted player to watch.
For myself id like to add Lemieux too. Can't get enough of that guy and it sadence me to know i might not see him play again :cry:
Crosby might have had huge hype, but that doesnt mean he was/is the most marketable player. For as liked as he is by many, there are just as many who cant stand him. The ones who cite a disliking for Crosby use his on ice persona he obtained, whether right or wrong, as a reason for disliking him. He might be one of the most wanted players in terms of viewership, but I bet theres a good amount who will tune it to see it Sid will get some Hatcher style treatment. As a personality he just seems to rub people the wrong way, IMO thats not someone who can be considered the most marketable in the NHL. Players who are endearing on and off the ice like Ovechkin and others are more marketable personalitys right now over Sid.

HandshakeLine

07-23-2006, 11:34 PM

Crosby might have had huge hype, but that doesnt mean he was/is the most marketable player. For as liked as he is by many, there are just as many who cant stand him. The ones who cite a disliking for Crosby use his on ice persona he obtained, whether right or wrong, as a reason for disliking him. He might be one of the most wanted players in terms of viewership, but I bet theres a good amount who will tune it to see it Sid will get some Hatcher style treatment. As a personality he just seems to rub people the wrong way, IMO thats not someone who can be considered the most marketable in the NHL. Players who are endearing on and off the ice like Ovechkin and others are more marketable personalitys right now over Sid.

That can be said about every single other player in the game, really.

What it comes down to is that people root for acomplishments by players they can connect with. Not everyone's gonna connect with AO, no matter how many frigging threads we have to read on it. Some people, rightly or wrongly, just won't like him, and the same can be said for Crosby, Cheechoo, Lundquvist, Yzerman, Lemieux and whoever else you can think of. That's just how it goes.

The only way to market the game properly, IMO, is to give fans what they want-- be that uncensored games on HBO, more offense, and great victorys mixed with heart-wrenching defeats.

No one player's ever going to have that effect. Even Gretzky and Hoew had other superstars that people knew about in their day.

Zaddik

07-23-2006, 11:55 PM

maybe crosby for a pro-nfl advertisement, but for an nhl ad i'd go for kovalchuk or any other russian for that matter. canadians in the league are way too passive and modest in the media and that's not something you can really take advantage when it comes to promoting a game.

FLYLine24*

07-23-2006, 11:58 PM

I'm a little confused at Lundqvist making the top 100 beautiful people. If he's on that list, Forsberg should be #1.

Maybe u just have bad taste in men?......:sarcasm: ;)

Jaded-Fan

07-24-2006, 12:46 AM

TheKingPin

07-24-2006, 01:05 AM

Suprised that someone hasn't said Lundqvist, or any goalie for that sake. Look at all the young goalies in the league today. Lundqvist, Miller, Luongo, Ward, Backstabber... eh Bryzgalov ( :sarcasm: ), Auld, Lehtonen, Toivonen etc..

Auld?

i say AO and Crosby need to become the most marketed players. But what has yo be done i to get at least ne guy on every team to be known to sport fans, like football. NHL needs to be like the NFL to get bigger. they have kind of done that with the cap and making every team a contender, now there has to be marketing of these players....

octopi

07-24-2006, 01:08 AM

That can be said about every single other player in the game, really.

What it comes down to is that people root for acomplishments by players they can connect with. Not everyone's gonna connect with AO, no matter how many frigging threads we have to read on it. Some people, rightly or wrongly, just won't like him, and the same can be said for Crosby, Cheechoo, Lundquvist, Yzerman, Lemieux and whoever else you can think of. That's just how it goes.

Rightly or wrongly? We're hockey fans. its our perogative to hate players because they're on the wrong team, or just for no apparent reason other than we just really get sick of them.

Forever27

07-24-2006, 04:14 AM

When I think marketable, I think marketable to a broad audience. Try to think of it from an objective (ie, non-hockey fanboy HFBoards poster) perspective. First, anyone who says Crosby isn't marketable is kidding themselves. He might not be an infectious personality (he's a drab and inoffensive interview) but he doesn't have to be. His name alone sells. People will watch hockey BECAUSE of Sidney Crosby. That's marketable. Sure, a lot of that is because of the hype machine, but I don't think anyone can say he hasn't lived up to the hype so far.

Ovechkin is also very marketable, and in a way, may be MORE marketable to non-hockey fans than Crosby because he's funny. People who don't like or get hockey will probably tune into an Ovechkin interview to hear him talk about his fire wagon of power and shooting the puck. To a non hockey fan who sees hockey as sort of a strange, foreign curiosity a player who is a foreign curiosity works very well. And lets not forget the ridiculous popularity of those Ovechkin highlight videos. There was a while when they were top five on Google video, so clearly people watch them.

And let's not forget Marek Malik. Well, okay, maybe not. But Malik IS a great example of how marketable the Rangers are. One of the most unremarkable, average, boring utility defensemen in the NHL (I'm not bashing, I like him, but its true) pulls off a nifty move in a shootout and becomes the trend of the week because he did it in New York.

I also agree with people who have said Roenick and Hull. Not so much anymore, but they're great examples of players that were extremely marketable in their time. Love them or hate them, everyone noticed them. I think hockey needs MORE players like this. More cocky SOB goalies like Roy too. I'd say Iginla is also marketable, because he's the quintessential hockey player - talented enough to carry a team, tough enough to take on anyone in the league. It doesn't hurt that he's a good interview to boot. He handles himself well in front of the camera. Add in the fact that he's black, (at least half) which goes against the "big dumb white guys with no teeth" stereotype. Todd Bertuzzi WAS hugely marketable, but he screwed that all up and is probably the opposite now.

I like the mentions of Spezza, except that I'd argue that he's probably going to be marketable mostly to Canadians, which is sort of a moot point since ANY hockey player of his talent is marketable in Canada. Hell any hockey player of talent is marketable in Canada.

missK

07-24-2006, 07:01 AM

Unless advertising execs are biased, the answer is pretty easy, however unpalatable to some of you:

Rookie hockey sensation Sidney Crosby has added a pair of new brands to his stable of endorsement deals. Pepsi-QTG Canada and Frito Lay Canada announced yesterday that they have signed three-year agreements with Mr. Crosby, the 18-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins star. The Pepsi and Lay's brands are owned by PepsiCo Inc., as is Gatorade, which Mr. Crosby already represents. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Mr. Crosby's agent said recently that he is already the most expensive active hockey player in the National Hockey League, with each endorsement deal commanding six figures or more.

http://drinkit.arsenic.net/2006/05/sidney_crosby_joins_pepsi_1.html

............... but delude yourselves into believing otherwise if it makes you feel comforatble doing so.

Congrats to Sidney for pulling in the money but the words Canada after Pepsi & Frito Lay are the giveaways. It looks like these commercial will be seen in Canada and the only people in the USA who will see them are the ones who have Center Ice and those people are already big fans. So how does this increase visibility outside of Canada?

Crosby's Nike commercial was really good and Nike has produced some other great hockey commercials too but showing them only during All-Star games in the USA isn't going to cut it. Nike did better last season with the Crosby commercial showing in the USA more but I want to see other players and not just Crosby all the time. And show the hockey commercials during other sports programming, not just hockey games.

HandshakeLine

07-24-2006, 09:02 AM

Rightly or wrongly? We're hockey fans. its our perogative to hate players because they're on the wrong team, or just for no apparent reason other than we just really get sick of them.

It doesn't matter if it's right or wrong so much as people do. That's really kind of why you can't pin all your marketing on one or two players. Players retire, have bad years, and do stupid things-- the game keeps going. It's better to sell the game in the short and long run than market players, that's all I'm saying.

Jaded-Fan

07-24-2006, 10:30 AM

Congrats to Sidney for pulling in the money but the words Canada after Pepsi & Frito Lay are the giveaways. It looks like these commercial will be seen in Canada and the only people in the USA who will see them are the ones who have Center Ice and those people are already big fans. So how does this increase visibility outside of Canada?

Crosby's Nike commercial was really good and Nike has produced some other great hockey commercials too but showing them only during All-Star games in the USA isn't going to cut it. Nike did better last season with the Crosby commercial showing in the USA more but I want to see other players and not just Crosby all the time. And show the hockey commercials during other sports programming, not just hockey games.

I am not sure the point. What hockey player has better US exposure? Hockey just is not at this time going to attract top advertising exposure in the US. And yet, Leno, Vanity Fair and GQ covers, and on and on. Crosby may just be the biggest and most recognizable US household name among NHL players outside of Gretzky and Mario. To Joe housewife who never watched a hockey game in her life, as much as any other player, she would have heard of Crosby if she ever heard of any of them at all. But if I am wrong about your point, tell me. What active hockey player has bigger than Crosby US recognition and/or advertising to make my links above only matter in Canada?