The hype machine for the
Beverage Sponsorship Money of Which I Do Not Receive a Cut AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic continues to hum. I took part in an informative conference call yesterday in the wake of NBC's announcement that
Bob Costas would finally have the opportunity to match
the prestige of appearing in "BASEketball" by hosting
the NHL's outdoor hockey game in Buffalo on New Year's Day 2008.NHL on NBC vets Doc Emrick, Eddie Olczyk and producer Sam Flood were joined by newbies
"Mad" Mike Milbury and Costas, whose focus is clearly on making a game between
what are currently two non-playoff teams into something transcendent, saying that "you don't have to be somebody who follows the NHL day in and day out to enjoy it as an event."
Being that this is a large-scale sporting event with an opportunity for
some NBC cross-promotion, someone asked Flood if there would be an NBC celebrity component at the Winter Classic, and specifically about arguably
the network's biggest prime-time star and most prominent Canadian, Howie "Deal or No Deal" Mandel. "In terms of Howie Mandel, no plans at this time to have him at the game site. Remember, Jan. 1 is a different kind of day to have these celebs in different locations," said Flood.
Having Mandel at the game, or on any hockey telecast, would obviously be a coup based on his current popularity and general appeal; but it would also be the safe, obvious play. If NBC and the NHL really wanted to create some buzz, they should draft some of the network's stars whose hockey credentials are a little less established. Who isn't tuning in to the Winter Classic pregame show to hear
Tracy Morgan of "30 Rock" do five minutes on hockey? Of course, the probability of getting Tracy Morgan to Buffalo, NY on New Year's Day afternoon for a hockey game is about the same as the probability that
Jamie-Lynn Spears was going to save it 'til marriage. Some other points of interest from the conference call...
Nobody likes to lose. Ever. And it's insulting to claim that losing might be the best thing that could ever happen to a team. Nothing will infuriate a fan base more than some outsider claiming that losing might be the best thing for a team. 
