“The Game Needs the Attention”: Amidst NHL’s Dwindling Viewership, Wayne Gretzky Once Made a Heartfelt Admission on Hockey

NHL broadcasters have lost more than 22% viewers in the past two years. Popular cable networks like ESPN and TNT doubled up the number of games in projection, and that eventually led to the dwindling numbers. In the setting of this fiasco, a previous suggestion from Wayne Gretzky sits perfectly. Previously, the Great One appealed to a more attentive approach toward the game, which would benefit both the players and the league.

When the world of hockey is facing a tumultuous situation followed by a lesser number of viewers, netizens look for expert advice. What exactly did the Great One imply before?

Wayne Gretzky speaks up about a serious matter in hockey

This year started with some blockbuster news in NHL. Gretzky hosted a game, marvelous performances by the teams in Stanley Cup, big fights, and more fuss kept audiences on their toes. But despite all this, a report from the Sports Business Journal announced the critical condition faced by the channels in telecasting the games.

Though NHL has a huge social media presence, they are failing to draw attention through TV. Previously, the Great One shared his concern about the same. Advocating the user engagement pressure, he said in his book, “The best thing about the streak…is that it’s good for hockey. The game needs the attention”. Clearly, he understood the issue even before the concerned persons.

The dwindling users are not new. The Great One also faced the issue, even though he was the best of his time! Failing to score in each game made him a villain for some, but as per his manager, “Wayne uses the pressure, he converts it to energy and channels it into his game”. Gretzky possesses an incredible acumen for showcasing his finesse in hockey, which screams for attention.  And yet, the viewership back then failed to hit the mark. Yet, he’s not the only one with insight into this phenomenon.

Read More – Days After Russian NHL Star Ivan Provorov’s Controversy, New York Rangers’ Latest Act Creates Quite a Stir

Apart from Gretzky, fans and some veterans call for concern

Veterans are thoughtful of the drastic hit of the NHL’s rating in the U.S. Sports journalist Mark J. Burns recently shared a tweet addressing the concerning numbers. He intended to make a wake-up call with his post and eventually gathered public attention. He updated the fans on the shockingly fewer number of viewers in the second season.

Hockey lovers became vocal as soon as the report unfolded. There were many issues with mixing up teams and playoff schedules. Former players raised issues related to the factors, like a lack of rivalries and storylines for the recent disinterest. Now the question arises, will the league take a step back and work all the problems out?

Watch This Story – From Joe DiMaggio to Wayne Gretzky- Most Outstanding Statistical Accomplishments in Us Sporting History