N1:
For the first time since 2003, the NHL on October 5th hit the ice for opening night as a unified front of players and team owners. Last year fans were treated to a 301 day work stoppage, the longest hiatus ever in professional sports. The only question was if fans would return. Vice President of Strategic Development for the NHL Susan Cohig said she expected fans to come back to the game but not in numbers like this.
AX1
With respect to their response and their renewal rates , its been phenomena. We have always known that our fans are the best in sports and its been reflected in how strong they have come back. We have got substantial higher renal rates rates for the 2005-06 season that we have enjoyed in years past. (:23)
NATS: Buzzer. Fader Under N2
N2
Overall the league is doing quite well. 23 out of 30 teams have a season ticket renewal rate of over 90%, Anaheim, Boston, and the New York Rangers have sold more than 2,000 new season ticket packages. All this while ticket prices across the board are down 7.5%. Cohig said she thinks the reason fans are returning is because the NHL listened to changes they wanted.
AX2
I think its a combination of things one of the things going into the work stoppage we had a been hearing form fans both antectotdally and through research we understand the challenges and what we want you to do is fix the economics of the game and fix the game on the ice and if you do that we will be back. (:17)
NATS: Stadium Noise Fade under N3
N3
After the strike the NHL and the sports television network ESPN agreed to part ways. This made room for a network formerly called the Outdoor Life Network or OLN to step into the rhelm of US professional sports after OLN agressively pursued the NHL in the offseason. Amy Sweeney, director of Media Relations says that so far the NHL is quite happy.
AX3
The NHL is excited to have a new cable partner in OLN so its a relationship that is good for us and good for them one that will allow them to help grow their business and for us we are excited about being a priority with a network (:13)
N4
Fans seem to be pretty happy that the NHL is back on the ice and some are excited to go see the live action. One fan says he will go to the games when his favorite team the Boston Bruins is in town.
AX4
"I don't care about the Rangers, I care about the Boston Bruins, and all Boston teams." :04
N5:
Fans are also welcoming back hockey because of strong marketing campaigns enacted by teams throughout the country. In Pittsburgh, the "Penguins University Seminar Series," has been a big hit teaching the rules of the game. In Los Angeles, the Kings players will be manning the box office and in Dallas, Stars fans have the opportunity to win to use of the Stars speed boat for the 2006 boating season. For Columbia Radio News, I'm Scott Willyerd