by Jeffrey Weinstein

Created on: January 14, 2009

Hockey in the United States for decades was the fourth major sports behind Baseball Football and Basketball. Today, some say it's been surpassed by NASCAR, UFC and even the World Poker Tour. There are many reasons for this.

Hockey is by far the most expensive sport to play which makes if difficult for a lot of working families to purchase the equipment for their kids. It's much cheaper for parents to buy a basketball, football, or soccer ball, and it's easier for kids to go to the school yard and play. Skates, sticks, gloves, helmets, and padding will run hundreds of dollars and before you buy a single piece of hockey equipment, you have to learn how to ice skate and ice time isnt cheap either. Playing the other sports is more convenient, easier and cheaper for parents and kids.

Another reason for hockey's lack of popularity in the U.S. is that it can be hard to follow on TV. Someone who has watched hockey for years has no problem following the puck but a novice hockey viewer might not be able to follow. The game is back and forth and the play changes at a rapid pace. It's understandable for someone to have trouble following the action. It can take years for someone to really watch a game and follow everything that happends. Football has a play then a 40 second pause until the next play. Baseball pitchers throw the ball, a play happens and again there is a pause before the next pitch is thrown. Basketball and soccer have back and forth action but at a far slower pace than hockey. Most people agree, watching a hockey game in person is better than watching on TV. The NHL has tried many ways to improve the TV viewer's experience. We all remember Fox's glowing puck in the 90's and the miniature cameras on the goalie masks. The NHL will continue to try other gimmicks to entice non-hockey fans to watch. The Winter Classic seems to be helping and I hope they continue to have it for many years to come.

The most obvious reason for the lack of popularity is the violence. Hockey is the only sport were fighting is tolerated. You do get penalized but you sit for just 5 minutes and then you're permitted back on the ice. Many peole are turned off by this and will never pay any attention to this violent sport. Hockey will never outlaw fighting so it's kind of a catch-22.

I can't see hockey surpassing baseball, football, or basketball in this country but it's an amazing game played by incredible athletes. The rough nature of the sport is sewn in to the history of the game and people have to accept that. I'd love to see the Stanley Cup finals have the same impact as the World Series. It probably won't and that's okay because hockey fans are the most passionate of any sport and we love our game no matter what.

Learn more about this author, Jeffrey Weinstein.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.