Dave Brandon says discussions with NHL about 2013 Winter Classic discussions ongoing
Ever since Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon confirmed that he was having discussions with the NHL about possibly hosting the 2013 Winter Classic, the rumor mill has been swirling.
It seems that every day there is a new source calling a Detroit Red Wings-Toronto Maple Leafs New Year's date at Michigan Stadium an all but done deal.
Brandon shed some light on the situation at Progressive Field this weekend in an interview with the Detroit Free Press.
“There’s so many rumors and so much misinformation flying around about this,” Brandon told the Free Press. “We’re still having conversations, and we’ll see if we can work something out. But it’s still a work in progress.”
Brandon ruled out the possibility of the Michigan hockey team playing a separate game if the Winter Classic were at the Big House. And he said rumors about the Great Lakes Invitational being at Comerica Park are exactly that: rumors.
Among the many complications Brandon cited is the fact that he hopes the Michigan fan base is busy on Jan. 1 2013.
"I hope a lot of people are at a bowl game and watching our football team. So there’s a lot of complications as it relates to that," Brandon said.
Comments
ted
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 9:55 p.m.
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15crown00
Tue, Jan 17, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
IF you make it to a bowl game in 2013.You'll fill the Big House if the Red Wings play Toronto and you know it.Think of the revenue that will be generated.If you are so worried about fans missing the football game on tv all i can say is TV times have been juggled around in the past for any number of reasons and undoubtedly they could be in this instance also.The NHL would have to meet with The Big Ten,The NCAA,and the BCS to hammer something out. Do It Mr. Brandon
paulczar
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:54 p.m.
If there is a ready sheet of ice at Michigan Stadium, why on Earth WOULDN'T Michigan play on it? It would just be sitting there, all but begging for someone to play on it. To me, that would be a huge mistake if Brandon truly has already ruled out any possibility of Michigan playing there. Last year when Michigan and MSU square doff at the Big House, they certainly weren't the only teams to play a game on that sheet of ice. All sorts of local teams, both men and women teams, played there.
golfer
Mon, Jan 16, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
great idea to hold it here. what i wounder will beer play a role in a yea or ney? if it is anything like we had with state should not be a problem. different type of spectators?