"The first season of the show, which adapts a bestselling novel and tells the story of the relationship between two gay hockey players, quickly amassed a dedicated following shortly after it debuted. Since then, the show's fanbase has grown to include, well, a number of insiders in the real-life pro hockey world - including the hosts of the podcast Empty Netters."
"As The Athletic's Sean Gentille reports, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman recently told members of the media that he, too, had been watching the show - and was excited about its prospects for the sport. To clarify, Bettman didn't just watch the show - he binged it. "I've watched all six episodes," he said. "I binged it in one night." He went on to call the show "very compelling and a lot of fun," though he also noted that the show "might be a little spicy" for younger audiences."
"Bettman isn't off-base (pardon the mixed sports metaphor) in thinking that a popular show set in the hockey world could lead to more people watching actual hockey. There's certainly evidence that Ted Lasso increased the popularity of soccer in the United States, for instance. And after the first season of Ted Lasso aired, the Premier League signed a high-profile deal with the show allowing for more verisimilitude in its depiction of the league."
Heated Rivalry achieved rapid popularity after debuting, adapting a bestselling novel and centering on a relationship between two gay hockey players. The show's fanbase expanded to include real-world hockey insiders and podcast hosts. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman watched all six episodes in one night and described the show as very compelling and fun while cautioning it might be spicy for younger viewers. Comparisons to Ted Lasso suggest televised sports dramas can increase interest in the real sport. The show is set in a fictional hockey league, but league authenticity matters less than the potential to drive more people to the game.
Read at InsideHook
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]