Bandwagon Critical Mass - When will it Happen?

[Hunter Gathers]

I can picture that now, awesome. Hockey fans are so amazingly superstitious, I love it.

It's brutal. All I want to do is wear my jersey. But I will never do it out of love / fear.

 

[NYRFAN218]

I used to let bandwagon fans bother me but I moved past that. Way I look at it is we all hope the sport grows and becomes more popular and this is probably the best way.

I know deep down that I'll enjoy the victory a ton more than the people that started cheering last week so it doesn't affect me. In fact, I hope more people join the bandwagon. More the city is invested in and talking about the Rangers, the better.

 

[Nanaki]

Hmm, it's weird, still have yet to see Rangers bandwagonners this year.

I've been seeing a lot more Rangers shirts and hats the last 2 weeks. After the game last night I saw Rangers posts left and right on facebook from people whom I know aren't fans. It's just starting later than 2012 for some reason.

 

[TruBlue]

Definitely starting to see more Rangers paraphernalia on the streets.

Not really near '94 levels though, which is understandable considering that team was on a quest to break the curse. There were some really great storylines and defining moments in that run, such as Messier's guarantee and Matteau's 2OT goal, which caused that team to become endearing to the casual NY sports fan. The Rangers and the NHL's popularity was peaking and the lockout ruined the momentum.

The bandwagon didn't fill up until after the Matteau goal...the bandwagoners were waiting to see who won the series before committing. The same thing happened in the 80's...all of the people who jumped on the NYR bandwagon after they beats the Piles in 1979, were all wearing Fishstick gear in the Spring of 1980

 

[McDunna with Fries]

I used to let bandwagon fans bother me but I moved past that. Way I look at it is we all hope the sport grows and becomes more popular and this is probably the best way.

I know deep down that I'll enjoy the victory a ton more than the people that started cheering last week so it doesn't affect me. In fact, I hope more people join the bandwagon. More the city is invested in and talking about the Rangers, the better.

I like this view the best. To be honest, the more the merrier.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

You can tell the bandwagon is in full swing when Francessa, who absolutely refuses to talk hockey, is finally forced to. It's hilarious listening to his hollow "analysis." It's so bad. He seriously doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. You figure one of his interns would have given him a cliff notes version of the '13-'14 New York Rangers so he at least knows the names of all the players. It's ridiculous that NYC radio has such a dearth of hockey knowledge.

 

[BlueshirtBlitz]

I used to let bandwagon fans bother me but I moved past that. Way I look at it is we all hope the sport grows and becomes more popular and this is probably the best way.

I know deep down that I'll enjoy the victory a ton more than the people that started cheering last week so it doesn't affect me. In fact, I hope more people join the bandwagon. More the city is invested in and talking about the Rangers, the better.

This.

The more people hop on the bandwagon, the less ridiculous I look when i'm going nuts for the team.

 

[GordonGecko]

You can tell the bandwagon is in full swing when Francessa, who absolutely refuses to talk hockey, is finally forced to. It's hilarious listening to his hollow "analysis." It's so bad. He seriously doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. You figure one of his interns would have given him a cliff notes version of the '13-'14 New York Rangers so he at least knows the names of all the players. It's ridiculous that NYC radio has such a dearth of hockey knowledge.

I think there's a market for another sports talk radio station in NYC with a primary focus on hockey. They could eventually get the Rangers broadcast, so for example instead of after the postgame show cutting to an obscure basketball game nobody cares about, there would be follow through on the Rangers.

Somebody please raise the money and get 'er done

 

[Ratboy]

Keep beating up on the Habs and most of Canada will jump on your bandwagon.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

I think there's a market for another sports talk radio station in NYC with a primary focus on hockey. They could eventually get the Rangers broadcast, so for example instead of after the postgame show cutting to an obscure basketball game nobody cares about, there would be follow through on the Rangers.

Somebody please raise the money and get 'er done

I honestly don't know if NYC could support such a show, but is it too much to ask that most of the shows have someone knowledgible to talk hockey. Boomer loves hockey, but his analysis is amateur at best, and he only is able to talk hockey if the Rangers are doing well in the playoffs. The rest of the time, that show just mocks hockey. Joe and Evan are both willing to talk hockey, but again, their analysis is amateur and they don't have anyone who knows the game inside and out. Francessa is just a joke. I can't stand the guys on ESPN radio, so I can't comment on their lineup, but I suspect they're as bad or worse than WFAN.

 

[GordonGecko]

I can't stand the guys on ESPN radio, so I can't comment on their lineup, but I suspect they're as bad or worse than WFAN.

It's just so terrible, they have these two idiots on in the morning who go on forever about college sports and make stupid "I'm a weenie" jokes every day. There are some guys that do like the Rangers but they rarely rarely ever talk hockey, probably the most frequent is Don LaGreca who co-hosts with Kay in the afternoon and does play by play for the team every once in a while.

 

[bernmeister]

Ok so we all know hockey is #4 in this town, but ...

Questions for the board:

• Are you guys hearing more Rangers talk at the office /streets from (a) non-hockey fans (b) casual/non-sports fans?
• Are you seeing more gear being worn on the streets?
• Has anyone asked you how to score tickets to a game?
• Has anyone asked you about who the players are?
• Will this peak if/when we make the Stanley Cup Finals and the national media descends?

[*]Are you guys hearing more Rangers talk at the office /streets from (a) non-hockey fans (b) casual/non-sports fans?

Not really hearing it yet. Just the odd discussion here and there. Gotta say overall NO.

[*]Are you seeing more gear being worn on the streets?

Yes, definitely on the Upper East Side.

[*]Has anyone asked you how to score tickets to a game?

No. However people laying out bread for tickets know where to go.

[*]Has anyone asked you about who the players are?

Not so much, but get the feeling the main cast of characters is known.

[*]Will this peak if/when we make the Stanley Cup Finals and the national media descends?

All too briefly, w/hockey remaining the poor step child, unfortunately.
That said, we win the Cup and there will be the Canyon of Heroes etc. and at least a 3 wk buzz.

 

[McDunna with Fries]

You can tell the bandwagon is in full swing when Francessa, who absolutely refuses to talk hockey, is finally forced to. It's hilarious listening to his hollow "analysis." It's so bad. He seriously doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. You figure one of his interns would have given him a cliff notes version of the '13-'14 New York Rangers so he at least knows the names of all the players. It's ridiculous that NYC radio has such a dearth of hockey knowledge.

Gotta listen to Boomer & Carton, my friend. Only NY radio program that can intelligibly discuss hockey (100% because of Boomer being a diehard ranger fan; Carton doesn't follow hockey).

Francesa openly admits not giving a damn about hockey and that he will actually tell you that he only talks about it because it is relevant when the Rangers are in the playoffs.

 

[McDunna with Fries]

Not really hearing it yet. Just the odd discussion here and there. Gotta say overall NO.


Yes, definitely on the Upper East Side.


No. However people laying out bread for tickets know where to go.


Not so much, but get the feeling the main cast of characters is known.


All too briefly, w/hockey remaining the poor step child, unfortunately.
That said, we win the Cup and there will be the Canyon of Heroes etc. and at least a 3 wk buzz.

I live in the UES and there are tons of ranger fans up here. I saw plenty of Rangers gear during the regular season and there are lots of fans at the bars up here during game time.

I think it's more the fact that it's exciting that people are wearing their Rangers gear moreso than bandwagoners coming out from nowhere. Even for me, if I have to step outside for a second, I could put on a jacket, but because of the excitement I'll toss on my Rangers hoodie instead.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Gotta listen to Boomer & Carton, my friend. Only NY radio program that can intelligibly discuss hockey (100% because of Boomer being a diehard ranger fan; Carton doesn't follow hockey).

Francesa openly admits not giving a damn about hockey and that he will actually tell you that he only talks about it because it is relevant when the Rangers are in the playoffs.

I actually do. I normally have WFAN streaming on my computer at work, just to feel like I still live in NY (moved to ATL 18 months ago, don't regret it one bit). Boomer, while he does his best to discuss hockey, doesn't cut it for me. He engages in fan talk, which is fine for a bit, but I'm looking for analysis. The same treatment that all the other sports get. And Boomer only talks come playoff time. The rest of the time, that show openly mocks hockey like its not even a real sport.

 

[McDunna with Fries]

I actually do. I normally have WFAN streaming on my computer at work, just to feel like I still live in NY (moved to ATL 18 months ago, don't regret it one bit). Boomer, while he does his best to discuss hockey, doesn't cut it for me. He engages in fan talk, which is fine for a bit, but I'm looking for analysis. The same treatment that all the other sports get. And Boomer only talks come playoff time. The rest of the time, that show openly mocks hockey like its not even a real sport.

Yeah that's true. It definitely doesn't go into analysis. Carton mocks hockey but you'll never get that from Boomer.

 

[RangersFan]

Howard Stern actually took a call from a Rangers fan today, and I figured he'd hang up like he does on many callers instead he went on for 5 minutes and actually talked about MSL's loss of mother and the streak since. Color me shocked. As any Stern fan knows, he isn't a sports fan at all, knows very little. Though he has become a regular at Knicks games and sometimes attends Rangers games. I think his friendship with Avery and other celebrities off the ice had broadened his horizons. Being a Stern and Rangers fan it got me excited.

edit: also the setup for the call made it even better. Howard often gets fed up when callers don't get their points out or are annoying, he is easily agitated so he often hangs up on callers. So a guy called in who Howard hung up on earlier in the show and he was yelling at Howard why did you hang up on me, why are you so easily agitated. Howard was like look I don't have time to sit there for you to get your point out, but here's your another shot go ahead, what do you have to say. The caller tried to be a smart ass and was like "what do you think about the Rangers neutral zone play, and standing up the rush at the blue line." And the best was instead of hanging up on him and yelling at him he went on about the Rangers playoff run, it was great.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Yeah that's true. It definitely doesn't go into analysis. Carton mocks hockey but you'll never get that from Boomer.

It goes beyond Carton mocking hockey, they play that stupid sound byte "Nobody cares about hockey, Boomer" anytime the sport is even brought up. Now that all the frontrunners have crawled out of the woodwork, its ok to talk hockey for a few minutes an hour. They still talk baseball way more than hockey, even with the Rangers putting together a deep run.

Sorry for the rant, but its frustrating.

 

[Blueshirt Special]

Yeah that's true. It definitely doesn't go into analysis. Carton mocks hockey but you'll never get that from Boomer.

Carton can get a little(?) irritating when he knows Boomer is going to want to talk hockey. He keeps interrupting and causing distractions. It's as if he is afraid the hockey talk will be the dominant topic and he is in over his head right away.

He needs to let go a little and let Ranger fans have their day in the sun.

As far as "critical mass", that will be Game 6 of The Stanley Cup Finals.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

It's just so terrible, they have these two idiots on in the morning who go on forever about college sports and make stupid "I'm a weenie" jokes every day. There are some guys that do like the Rangers but they rarely rarely ever talk hockey, probably the most frequent is Don LaGreca who co-hosts with Kay in the afternoon and does play by play for the team every once in a while.

Was listening to Stepven A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco today at 1. They actually lead off the show with a lot of Rangers talk. They tried their best. Steven A is actually pretty excited about it which is nice because I think what the Rangers are doing is special right now and he'll bring the basketball crowd into it. But after about 4 minutes they had to bring Don Lagreca in to verify some stuff and ask questions. Which is good because he knows the game. Love Don.

 

[Beer League Sniper]

Carton can get a little(?) irritating when he knows Boomer is going to want to talk hockey. He keeps interrupting and causing distractions. It's as if he is afraid the hockey talk will be the dominant topic and he is in over his head right away.

He needs to let go a little and let Ranger fans have their day in the sun.

I'm not asking for much. I realize hockey is the 4th most popular sport in NY, and the US in general, but that doesn't mean it should be ignored entirely. I just want airtime commensurate with the popularity and interest in the sport. Which is definitely NOT zero.

 

[Miamipuck]

Hahahah Rangers fans are like TV fans when some acquaintance of theirs all of a sudden likes their favorite tv show after its aired 3-4 seasons.

 

[LORENZO]

The only reason I don't like it is that the demand for tickets skyrockets the price, and I probably won't be able to attend a game at MSG for the rest of the year

Other than that, I love it. Seeing gear being worn around town, or people talking to me in my office about hockey, or hearing it on the train/subway. Good times

Im slightly worried about going to games in the winter if we do win the cup, no doubt we'll see a hike in ticket prices.

But for me to be in NY when Rangers can potentially win the cup is pretty magic.

 

[ReggieDunlop68]

All those bandwagon "fans" are going to feel silly when they are exposed for their low total HF Board post counts at the parade this year!

 

[gardenparty]

It goes beyond Carton mocking hockey, they play that stupid sound byte "Nobody cares about hockey, Boomer" anytime the sport is even brought up. Now that all the frontrunners have crawled out of the woodwork, its ok to talk hockey for a few minutes an hour. They still talk baseball way more than hockey, even with the Rangers putting together a deep run.

Sorry for the rant, but its frustrating.

See, this is what I don't get about this market. The New York Rangers have been playing at least 22-41 games a year in the most famous arena in the world since 19 freaking 26; it's not like this is a new phenomenon - like some new lacrosse or soccer league or niche sport or something.

While I accept (but don't understand) that some people might not like the best "live" game of the 4 major sports, it deserves way more attention than it receives. I don't think we're at the level of hockey interest of other Original 6 cities Detroit, Boston, Chicago, let alone markets like Philly and Pittsburgh that have only been in existence since '67. Is there a dearth of hockey talk on the FAN because the market doesn't want to discuss it, or does the market not discuss it because the hosts don't want to/aren't able to? Then the larger question is, is this due to only 1 championship since 1940? Or perhaps a function of the city's wide ethnic diversity for whom the sport of hockey doesn't resonate?