Part 2/8:
In the recent commencement of the 2024-2025 season, alarming statistics highlight this decline. A report from Sports Media Watch revealed that the NHL's opening night triple-header on ESPN garnered a mere 0.29 rating with 559,000 viewers—a staggering 39% decrease from the previous year. Key matchups, such as the Bruins versus the Panthers, attracted just 790,000 viewers, marking a 47% drop. Bafflingly, none of that night's NHL games could outdraw a WNBA playoff contest, which captured 984,000 viewers, showcasing the stark reality facing the league.