Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz' Statement on the new streaming plans for fans as CHSN issues persist says a lot
Chicago Blackhawks fans who are local to the market have been experiencing stress trying to view their games in the market.
While Danny Wirtz has expressed his understanding of the fan's anger about being blacked out of the games, he's taken steps to give fans other methods of viewing Blackhawks games.
However, the Chicago Sports Network deal has been complicated and left fans high and dry. Acknowledgment of the fan's anger is a start, but for the team to move networks drastically without a smooth transition is a bad business practice, and for an original-six establishment such as the Blackhawks, it seems like terrible oversight from the top down.
Since October 1st, there have been numerous issues with the streaming quality through CHSN, along with blackouts, and lack of access to the network itself has angered, and upset fans.
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The #Blackhawks are now blacked out on NHL Center Ice for Xfinity subscribers so no way to watch @CHSN__ if you didn't buy the rabbit ears or have a different provider. pic.twitter.com/Ai8LJIJp5N- Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) October 16, 2024
With Danny Wirtz
aware of the streaming issues, you'd think he'd help push these negotiations along, smoothly and deliver a quality product soon. We hope that is the case, as fans are eager to view the new Blackhawks product on ice.
The time frame and pace of these negotiations have taken is honestly ill news, as you'd think the team and ownership would have these inked and delivered before the puck dropped on October 1st, correct?
Wrong.
This is another case of bad asset management, affecting the NHL, and the player's bottom line. It is another worst case scenario, as the team cannot even be viewed by their own fans, as they've been subjected to a blackout in their own market, which is just bonkers.
The team has recenly only begun to rebound from their past scandals, and this could end up hitting ticket sales, and merchand sales in the future.
The Blackhawks ownership needs to resolve this deal soon to save face once again and deliver what they promised.
One positive you can find out of this situation, is on October 17th the Blackhawks will return to the United Center to face the San Jose Sharks, for the 30th anniversary of the Arena.
Puck Drop is at 8:30 PM ET.
