Racial diversity in the NHL and other sports (moved posts)

[SteelCityMom]

g.

Originally Posted by SteelKnight

Well you are a good spokesperson and you know your stuff. You got me interested in it a little. You should get a marketing job with the NHL...lol

I really think I'd have fun if we had a superstar scorer. Like I said...You did a good job.
I'm feeling good about our Goalie Tim Thomas now though.

We are winning 1-0. I might watch both games (Jets/Bruins). Beating the Canadians is good.

Yeah, having a big superstar on your team is nice sometimes, but it isn't everything. The NJ Devils have been perennial playoff and cup contenders and they made a HUGE deal for Kovalchuk (a little over 100 Mill for 17 years) and in doing so have pretty much screwed the team in many other ways (gave up some key defensive players, his cap hit really hurts the team if anyone even gets hurt for a game or two and he just hasn't been producing). The team is 10(W)-29(L)-2(OT Loss) with 22 points after being the top team in the Eastern Conference with 103 points last season, with an extremely defensive team...they are now the absolute worst team in the league. So you've got to have balance.

Some people think bringing in Crosby and Ovechkin saved those franchises (in the standings) and while they certainly didn't hurt, it's more about the chemistry of a team you put together. Shero (Pens GM) did an absolutely brilliant job putting complimentary players around his superstars. Otherwise, having Crosby would be worthless.

B's are up 2-0 now...I hope they win too. I hate Montreal lol.

Pens are down 2-0 against Minnesota, I guess choosing playoff football over a regular season game was a good choice. (Yes, I actually struggled with this for a few minutes)

[I_Bleed_Black_And_Gold]

Why does it matter what color people are to make it interesting?

[SteelCityMom]

And I swear, I don't mean to be so overbearing about it...but once I get going about hockey sometimes, I can't shut up.

[SteelKnight]

Originally Posted by SCMom

In the states yeah...but the NHL doesn't just market to the US. Canada alone would boost the ratings up.

I'll always agree with you, that at the moment, the other leagues get more attention. That doesn't mean that there aren't a ton of people that watch the games though.

By the way, what are the 2 teams that hockey fans around the country would most be excited to see? Is it Pitt vs Washington?

[SteelKnight]

Originally Posted by SCMom

B's are up 2-0 now...I hope they win too. I hate Montreal lol.

Pens are down 2-0 against Minnesota, I guess choosing playoff football over a regular season game was a good choice. (Yes, I actually struggled with this for a few minutes)

Yeah...with hockey, you can't turn away for a second. I was watching it on the computer and I turned away for a second to see a first down catch and the Bruins scored. I couldn't believe I missed it live. lol I had to watch the replay.

[SteelCityMom]

Originally Posted by SteelKnight

By the way, what are the 2 teams that hockey fans around the country would most be excited to see? Is it Pitt vs Washington?

It depends on who you ask really. Pens biggest (real) rivals are by far the Flyers. Those are some fun games to watch. Lots of fights, lots of hits, and no shortage of scoring. Flyers fans hate us, and equally, we hate them.

Toronto/Montreal, Detroit/Chicago, Vancouver/Detroit (Vancouver and Detroit are fun games all around to watch...and I HATE Detroit), Pens/Caps, Pens/Flyers, San Jose/LA, Boston/Montreal....there's tons of good rivalries.

The most boring teams, IMO, are Florida, Atlanta, Columbus (unless the Pens are playing them and it's just a ruckus cause Pens fans invade that place). They are mostly boring because there's no crowd action. There's bad teams (like the Oilers and Leafs) who are still fun to watch because the fans are always there and always into it.

[SteelKnight]

Originally Posted by I_Bleed_Black_And_Gold

Why does it matter what color people are to make it interesting?

It's not really a debatable thing whether different backgrounds makes it more interesting. Either it does for you or it doesn't. There are some people who miss the good 'ol 60s after all. lol Believe me, I know there are a group of people that even hate diversity. Point being if some find it more interesting then that's enough to boost ratings (unless some of the originals drop). It's sort of like asking why Survivor shouldn't be all men. Hey...are you saying men don't have differences? What are you getting at?

[I_Bleed_Black_And_Gold]

I guess I am just living the pipe dream that skin color has nothing to do with anything.

I don't care that Obama was the first black President, to me he is the 44th President...period

I don't care that Tiger Woods was the first black golfer to win the Masters, to me he is just a great golfer

Etc.

It just seems to me that making a big deal over someone of a certain *(race, gender, sexuality, color, etc.) being successful is very demeaning to their *(race, gender, sexuality, color, etc.). Almost like "Oh my God, about time a *(woman, black person, brown eyed guy with a lisp) actually accomplished something."

Rap music is pretty popular with suburban white kids without any diversity. White people have Eminem...and Vanilla Ice...

[SteelCityMom]

Originally Posted by I_Bleed_Black_And_Gold

White people have Eminem...and Vanilla Ice...

I lol'd.

[SteelKnight]

Originally Posted by I_Bleed_Black_And_Gold

I guess I am just living the pipe dream that skin color has nothing to do with anything.

I don't care that Obama was the first black President, to me he is the 44th President...period

I don't care that Tiger Woods was the first black golfer to win the Masters, to me he is just a great golfer

Etc.

It just seems to me that making a big deal over someone of a certain *(race, gender, sexuality, color, etc.) being successful is very demeaning to their *(race, gender, sexuality, color, etc.). Almost like "Oh my God, about time a *(woman, black person, brown eyed guy with a lisp) actually accomplished something."

Rap music is pretty popular with suburban white kids without any diversity. White people have Eminem...and Vanilla Ice...

In some instances it represents overcoming challenges, stereotypes, hatred, etc. It can be a celebration of people NOT focusing on race and thus producing the result. Obama is a big deal. I remember when I saw "24" with a black President, it seemed fake and unrealistic and now that seems so ordinary (Event has a black Pres too). Sometimes people need to SEE things in reality...not just theory. Believe me, when Hillary Clinton wins president it will be a big deal and a huge accomplishment for women. It will not be insulting to women...not at all.

It may sound more ideal to "not notice" things but if real challenges are ignored/not appreciated in the vein of imaginary ideal, you might be selling yourself short.

As far as diversity and variety, some like it, some don't care and some hate it. Obviously there are people who feel at home in Iowa.

There is nothing wrong with hoping for ideals but it might not be great if one thinks just because he/she has reached the ideal, there is no more fuss and everyone automatically has reached the ideal.

It is like saying "I don't think women should be beat and I don't beat women so let's never talk about beating women again". It's those of you who say you notice women being beat who have a problem. It should never be mentioned. Yada Yada.