MLS, NBA teams, NFL, NHL, New York Times

Sarah Palin, NHL Combine To Grab The Casual Fan…

The NHL has come out firing and grabbed the attention of the casual sports fan and the business partner through a successful “NHL Rocks” campaign, well attended and competitive games in Europe, a sensational centennial campaign by the Canadiens and a rebirth of the Blackhawks brand in Chicago, all of which is overshadowing problems in small markets like Nashville.  The league will take another step to grab the casual viewer again Saturday night in Philly, when Governor Sarah Palin attends the Rangers-Flyers game and drops the first puck as part of a promotion to find the “Ultimate Hockey Mom.”  The move is a solid one for both sides…the Flyers get tremendous added exposure, as does the league and regardless of the reception the Governor gets, will now be tied to a potential Vice President for future endeavors.  The Republican ticket then gets to play the card that Senator Obama has played so well early on in the campaign, that of showing a solid connection to the average sports fan, so often a skeptical and reticent voter.  Should Governor Palin come off well Saturday it could score points and votes as well as buzz.  Who knows, with a Flyers win and a successful season (for her and the Flyers) she could become the good luck charm Philly has lacked since the late Kate Smith used to come in to sing “God Bless America” at the Spectrum in the ’70’s.  Well timed and solid play by both sides….smart for the NHL to pitch, smart for Palin to connect.

Some other good reads…Matt Futterman in the Wall Street Journal has a good piece on the NFL’s re-engagement to expand abroad… at the same time the New York Times has a great piece on the Nets efforts to expand into the Chinese community in New York with the aquisition of Yi Jianlian…the Palm Beach Post has a good profile on the Dolphins quiet leader, Chad Pennington…the Salt Lake Tribune has a good piece on the opening or Rio Tinto Stadium and it’s value to the community.