Linda Cohn, others blast Max Kellerman for saying 'no one really cares about hockey'
During a segment of ESPN's morning program "First Take" this week, analyst Max Kellerman addressed the return of professional sports in the United States amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Listen, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings," Kellerman said while speaking with Stephen A. Smith. "In the United States of America, no one really cares about hockey.
"The old joke is, every town has 20,000 hockey fans. They all have season tickets. So the arenas are always sold out, but the TV ratings don’t do anything. So, it's not one of the four major team sports.”
Fellow ESPN personality Linda Cohn, who hosts the ESPN+ "In the Crease" program, lashed out at Kellerman via Twitter.
"What do you mean 'Nobody cares about hockey,'" Cohn wrote. " It’s insulting to this great game, those associated with it, cover it, and to the passionate fan base here in the United States."
Hockey fans backed Cohn online.
Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux also responded to Kellerman.
The NHL and NHL Players' Association have agreed to a 24-team model and an altered postseason format to crown a Stanley Cup champion for the season shortened because of the pandemic. Players could return to the ice by the end of July.
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