Buzz Rules
To Infinity and Beyond
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2005
- Messages
- 14,089
I have a sports idea to bring ice hockey to the Middle East/Africa....
So, after watching the NY Rangers match tonight (what a win in overtime
), I was thinking how the joy of ice hockey 
could be spread to places where it is non existent. The NHL is looking for ways for more exposure internationally with players wanting more international games. Since most ice hockey teams are European and North American based, both continents could have their professional team owners invest in the richer Middle Eastern/African countries by creating minor leagues and academies for both men and women. The sport would gain traction for two reasons. First, the sport is popular for both men and women which will help activists promote more equality among both genders in society. Second, it will help citizens have more opportunities to pursue a sport that would in the beginning have little competition to move up in the ranks of a minor league system. If this would work, within a decade the NFL and European leagues would have more talent to draw from and maybe colleges as well (because of an academy system). National team competition could become popular and the World Cup of Hockey and Olympic ice hockey could finally become more globalized and even more competitive. Indoor ice rinks would be a massive expense but I believe it would be highly worth it for the local communities both for economic and recreational opportunities. Sport brings people together and there is no reason why ice hockey cannot be as popular with proper investment in the Middle East and Africa just as much as soccer is. If Florida and North Carolina can embrace ice hockey, I believe other hot climate areas will as well. If an NHL owner happens to look at this post, I hope you bring up this idea up as a possibility for the future at the next board meeting. Thoughts? 
So, after watching the NY Rangers match tonight (what a win in overtime
), I was thinking how the joy of ice hockey could be spread to places where it is non existent. The NHL is looking for ways for more exposure internationally with players wanting more international games. Since most ice hockey teams are European and North American based, both continents could have their professional team owners invest in the richer Middle Eastern/African countries by creating minor leagues and academies for both men and women. The sport would gain traction for two reasons. First, the sport is popular for both men and women which will help activists promote more equality among both genders in society. Second, it will help citizens have more opportunities to pursue a sport that would in the beginning have little competition to move up in the ranks of a minor league system. If this would work, within a decade the NFL and European leagues would have more talent to draw from and maybe colleges as well (because of an academy system). National team competition could become popular and the World Cup of Hockey and Olympic ice hockey could finally become more globalized and even more competitive. Indoor ice rinks would be a massive expense but I believe it would be highly worth it for the local communities both for economic and recreational opportunities. Sport brings people together and there is no reason why ice hockey cannot be as popular with proper investment in the Middle East and Africa just as much as soccer is. If Florida and North Carolina can embrace ice hockey, I believe other hot climate areas will as well. If an NHL owner happens to look at this post, I hope you bring up this idea up as a possibility for the future at the next board meeting. Thoughts?
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