Just because the NBA is crushing the NHL in ratings does not mean it is a better game at all.
It just means that more people watch the NBA...primarily because:
E$PN and other major sports personalities cater to the game, and I believe more so because of the trash talking, soap-opera like stories that surface in the NBA..not for the 37% shooting performances, the 78-61 games, and the half court, slow down, bore me style of the new NBA (though not all the time, but you get my drift, some teams like the Suns are bearable to watch)
If the NHL had more guys lighting up joints....having 15+ tattoos on average for each player....guaranteeing victories and saying stupid things...having 7+ kids on average for every player....releasing rap albums....start a riot in the crowd as a result of a Plastic Cup ..maybe...just maybe...E$PN will look at the NHL in a new light. And whomever does NOT think this is a big reason why the NHL struggles over the other major sports, couple that with sports like the NFL are bet on SO much more, you are fooling yourself.
Why was NBC in SUCH a rush to get that horse race on? Because of the 'pageantry' and 'elegance' of the Preakness?? PLEASE!! Breakfast at the Preakness?? They might as well show a real to life show of Breakfast at the Preakness to show who is REALLY watching this coverage...some 4 day unshaven guy standing at the OTB reading a Daily Racing Forum enjoying a glazed doughnut and a Dunkin Donuts coffee salivating over the thought of one of his 5 exacta and trifecta boxes are going to hit.