The NHL's participation in the Olympics, which will
shut the league down for 17 days in midseason, is "risky"
because "marquee players could get hurt, and local fans
could feel alienated," according to Stefan Fatsis of the
WALL STREET JOURNAL. But league officials say the Olympic
exposure "will speed the goal of attracting new fans both in
the U.S. and internationally." NHL Commissioner Gary
Bettman: "When people think of the Olympics, for two weeks
they are going to have reasons to think of the NHL." But
Fatsis adds that the NHL's "biggest problem" during its
regular season "will be closing down at about the time fan
interest usually picks up." For example, the Blues will
play 25 home games through December but "only" 16 home games
in the "peak" January to April months. So the team has
scheduled six promotional giveaways this month and has
reduced ticket prices in two-thirds of the 19,260-seat Kiel
Center. Blues Marketing Exec Jim Woodcock: "We understand
that any scheduling hardships are for the good of the game
and the league. But no question it does pose an early
challenge for us." Fatsis adds that "to ensure attendance
doesn't slip after the Olympics, teams are planning
promotions during the shutdown," including the Panthers
hosting a black-tie dinner with players waiting tables, and
the Blues offering 200 tickets for a Caribbean cruise with
players (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/10).
