Mar 1, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings warm up before the NHL Stadium Series game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Samantha Madar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Let’s not mince words — ESPN boned the NHL tonight.
The 2024 NHL Stadium Series broadcast on ESPN was delayed due to Alabama-Tennessee college basketball game. The game started on alternative channels like ESPN News and streaming on ESPN+, but the timeline was messy. That means one of the NHL’s premium events (and the pre-game visuals that go along with it) was pre-empted by something else. Not to take away from the basketball game, but I’ve got not dog in that fight. Kinda stinks for people who were watching at home.
The game is under way on ESPN as of 6:48 PM ET. BUT, the reaction on social media to ESPN PR’s post about the game show a lot of people aren’t so happy with how this transpired:
https://twitter.com/ESPNPR/status/1895973474612699187
Even a few of our members left comments voicing their frustration with the coverage of the game.
This stuff happens in the broadcasting world. I can speak to that as a former producer for a local TV station that shared time with national sports events. Still, I’d be a little pissed if I were the NHL. Oh well, go Wings! 