Wednesday 16 January 2013

NHL fans are weak

It seems like every media outlet is reporting about the excitement surrounding the return of NHL hockey. Team practices are full, the chatter in local watering holes has picked up and hockey pools are out of control. What happened to the so-called fan strike?

From October until a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't go a full day without someone telling me how they were boycotting the league and couldn't envision themselves watching hockey any time soon. Where is that conviction and resolve? It seems to have given way to a sort of herd mentality, where elation and team devotion have once again filled most fans' minds.

Leading poster and pennant site SportsPosterWarehouse.com recently put out a release on NHL sales, revealing that hockey items were down 40% in the fourth quarter of 2012. It led to speculation that perhaps fans wouldn't be returning to the game quite so quickly.

But as we approach the abbreviated season, there's nary a word from disgruntled fans. Sure, some wanted more concessions from teams in certain markets. But other than that, it seems like happy times are here again.

Maybe I'm just too jaded overall, but where's the anger and disgust and disdain for the players and owners?

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