4 on the Floor: NHL's GameCenter Live allows you to watch up to 4 games at once, plus much, much more (select image to see in larger view)

It’s a great time to be a sports fan these days. Between HD, mobile, and the internet, fans of every stripe can get their fix.

Of course, there can be option overload. Between league-owned networks, and out-of-market television packages, the problem could be, “Where to choose?”

For anyone looking to augment their NHL viewing options, or get started, the league’s GameCenter Live package should be worth considering. The online streaming package for out-of-market games has just about everything a fan could want if they find watching video online as an option over television, or a service that can get them watching games when a television set isn’t available, with one major exception we will get to in a bit.

Seeing Is Believing

Our review of GCL was done on a Dell Inspiron 1750 2.10GHz Dual Core system  laptop running Windows 7 with 4 Gigs of RAM, a 17” monitor running at 1600x900, running WiFi over DSL. We used Mozilla’s Firefox as the browser. By default, video streaming runs at 1600Kbps, with the user being able to select lower bit rates (400Kbps, 800Kbps). We installed the NeuLion Plug-In that is an option for GCL that allows for adaptive bit rates – the system automatically detects and adjusts the bit rate depending on the connection speed.

With the ability to stream up to four games simultaneously, we were pleasantly surprised to find no buffering issues. Clicking between each pane switched audio for that given game seamlessly. For those that want to keep track of multiple games, the ability to watch  four games is a key selling point of the package. (Select image in the upper right to see example).

DVR-Like

"Ice Tracker" in GameCenter Live is one of several widgets that make the streaming video package a winner

New for this year in GameCenter Live is the ability to use the system’s “DVR-like” functions. Becoming standard fare for streaming packages, users can pause, rewind, go back to “Live”, or use the handy “Go Back 10 Seconds” button.

Widgets ‘R Us

GameCenter Live’s biggest strength is the use of widgets. Once launched, the user has the ability to watch up to four games at once, by clicking from the schedule bar above the viewing field, or by clicking on a game, and dragging and dropping it into place. This is also handy for stats for a particular game you happen to be viewing. Caps playing the Bruins? Click on the stats tab for which team you want to view, and drag the transparent menu anywhere on the viewing screen, including over the action. Want to watch a game in full view, but want to check another game using Picture in Picture, there’s a small widget for that in which you can place it where ever you like.

Other great widget features include Play-By-Play, a chat window, and our favorite, the Ice Tracker which allows you to see where shots, goals, hits, penalties, occurred for the entire game, by period, for both, or each team. Mousing over a marker on Ice Tracker gives you details (see image)

Give Me The Time(line)

There’s nothing worse than watching a game, forgetting to put it on pause, walking away and coming back only to find that you missed a shot on or goal. One of GCL’s best features is a timeline with markers showing when the period ended, shots on goal, and goals. Clicking on the markers gives you several seconds leading up to the action in question. When getting into archived games, this function can act as your “highlight reel”.

Got the time? GameCenter Live's timeline bar allows you to click right to where the action happens (click to see in detail)

(select the image to see in detail)

Popout Fizzles

The only glitch we found in GameCenter Live revolved around its ability to have a “popout” window. Clicking on the “popout” button opens a mini-window that can be set in the corner of your screen to allow you to check a single game, but not have it consume a sizeable part of your screen’s real estate. We tried using this function several times, only to have it lock the browser up. This was distracting, but not a deal killer – the functionality seems a nice to have, rather than a core piece – after a couple of crashes, we simply left the “popout” testing alone, and soon forgot about it.

Time Machine (Archives)

Fall asleep on the couch, and only have a few minutes before you have to dash off to work? If you’re a NHL GameCenter Live subscriber, you can watch a 10 to 12 minute version of the game the next morning at 8am ET. And, you can watch archived games 48 hours after the games are broadcast with no blackouts. For those that live on the East Coast and are looking to see what they might have missed for Left Coast games, a great way to keep up with the action.

One of the coolest content related pieces for this year’s GCL is the ability to see a collection of select games from 1970 thru 2009 that have been selected by the NHL’s Editorial Staff.

Conclusion: Get It, But Let the Buyer Beware (Blackouts)

As online streaming sports applications go, GameCenter Live is the best one out there. It pulled out all the stops in terms of functionality, and with the exception of one hiccup, was robust enough to give a great viewing experience.

But, before you plunk down $119 (US), GCL’s biggest issue may have nothing to do with the application, at all, but rather the NHL’s television blackout policy. Depending on your location, and national broadcasts, getting “up to 40 games a week” may fall more on the side of well under, rather than reaching that nice sounding “40 games” plateau.

Since GCL looks for where your computer’s IP address is located, your blackouts become tied to that location. But, the NHL doesn’t provide a zip code locator where you could enter in your location to see where you are currently blacked out, and to-date, no enterprising individuals have created a blackout map, such as is the case for Major League Baseball (see MLB’s blackout map). This is the biggest issue surrounding  GCL, and it's most glaring weakness.

There’s nothing worse than purchasing something great, which GameCenter Live is, only to find that the games you want to see are caught up in the Blackout Blues. If you live in a location where blackouts are not an issue, such as we are, then purchasing GCL should be a no brainer. For the rest of those considering, since the NHL doesn't have the information, we suggest scouring the web throughly for information that will help you make the proper decision on your purchase. Below are the NHL’s blackout restrictions pulled from their GameCenter Live FAQ.  Consider reading closely before purchasing:

1. When am I blacked out on NHL GAMECENTER LIVE?

Generally, you are blacked out of games on NHL GAMECENTER Live based on a number of factors, including:

1. 1. Your local team is televising on a local over-the-air station and you are located within that station’s signal.
   2. Your local team is televising on a local regional sports network and your cable or satellite system falls within the distribution for that local regional sports network (regardless of whether your cable or satellite system actually carries that regional sports network.)
   3. There is no local television coverage of your local team.
   4. The game is being televised nationally – In the U.S. this includes NBC, Versus, and the NHL Network.  In Canada this includes CBC, TSN, and the NHL Network.

1. What if all the games I’m trying view are blacked out?

This means our system cannot identify your IP address as a valid IP address. Hotels, Universities or Colleges, using a company VPN could be connecting to proxy servers that make it difficult to locate what TV territory you are located in.

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• HICKS SPORTS GROUP COMPLETES SALE OF TEXAS RANGERS TO GREENBERG-RYAN
• Astros Agree with Pence on 1-yr, $3.5M Deal to Avoid Salary Arbitration
• Transaction Action: Orioles Bring Miguel Tejada Back
• Transaction Action: Giambi Returns to Rockies for 1-yr, $1.5M
• Dodgers to Play Two Games in Taiwan in March
• Players Unions From MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA Join Clinton Bush Fund-Raising Effort for Haiti Earthquake Relief
• Shane Victorino Gets 3-yr, $22M Deal from Phils to Avoid Salary Abritration
• Transaction Action: Royals Sign Rick Ankiel
• Over Half-A-Billion Dollars Allocated Through Salary Arbitration Contracts

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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Washington, D.C. – (Jan. 22, 2010) The NFL Players Association, National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) today announced the creation of the “One Team 4 Haiti” campaign to support the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund’s focus on the country’s earthquake relief and recovery efforts.

The campaign will launch with a text message fund-raising effort supporting the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. In the U.S., supporters can text the word “TEAM” to 20222 to donate $10. Canadian supporters can text the word “TEAM” to 20222 (starting on 1/23/10) to donate $5. The amount will be charged to donor’s cell phone bill. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised by the texting campaign will go directly to relief efforts.

The “ONE TEAM 4 HAITI” campaign will also promote relief efforts in Haiti by airing public service announcements featuring professional athletes from all four major sports.

QUOTES FROM EACH PLAYERS ASSOCIATION:

NFLPA: “I am proud to be a part of this ONE TEAM initiative, bringing together professional athletes from baseball, basketball, hockey and football to lend a hand to the people of Haiti,” said Kevin Mawae, NFLPA President. “The devastating effects of this earthquake will be difficult to overcome, but we urge all sports fans to join our team to make a difference by helping relief efforts in any way they can. It is my hope that this ONE TEAM alliance of players associations will continue to work together with our fans to help those in need for many years to come.”

MLBPA: “We are looking forward to joining forces with our peers in the NFLPA, NBPA and NHLPA to help raise awareness and funds for Haiti, and we encourage others to support the country’s recovery efforts any way they can,” stated MLBPA Association Representative, Mark Loretta. “As we have all seen, the damage has been devastating and the need for aid will be present for years to come. Please support our One Team 4 Haiti campaign and help us do our part to restore hope in the hearts and minds of all Haitians.”

NHLPA: “Since the earthquake hit their country, the Haitian people – including friends and family of mine – have been through so much devastation. NHLPA members, together with the members of the NFLPA, MLBPA and the NBPA, hope that we can make a meaningful contribution and encourage sports fans across North America to join us in helping Haiti,” said Georges Laraque, NHLPA Member. “One Team 4 Haiti is a wonderful initiative which we are proud to be a part of as it unites our Associations to achieve the goal of helping provide relief to this country in desperate need.”

NBPA: “The destruction of Haiti and despair of the Haitian people has touched us all,” said Derek Fisher, NBPA President. “From the first day that this disaster occurred, NBA players from around the league have urged our union to assist in any way possible. The NBPA is proud to partner with our fellow athletes in the NFLPA, NHLPA and MLBPA. We are urging as many people as possible to come together to support the “One Team 4 Haiti” campaign.”

ABOUT THE CLINTON BUSH HAITI FUND:
The earthquake that rocked the coast of Haiti killed or injured a devastating number of people. Even more were left in need of aid, making this is one of the major humanitarian emergencies in the history of the Americas. In the aftermath of the disaster, President Barack Obama asked President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush to raise funds for immediate, high-impact relief and long-term recovery efforts to help those who are most in need of assistance. In response, the two Presidents established the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (CBHF) to respond to unmet needs in the country, foster economic opportunity, improve the quality of life over the long term for those affected, and assist the people of Haiti as they rebuild their lives and “build back better.” The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund will do this by working with and supporting the efforts of reputable 501(c) (3) nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations. Presidents Clinton and Bush oversee the CBHF through their respective nonprofit organizations, the William J. Clinton Foundation and Communities Foundation of Texas. One hundred percent of donations made to the Clinton Foundation and the Communities Foundation of Texas go directly to relief efforts. For more information, visit www.clintonbushhaitifund.org.

ABOUT THE NFLPA
The NFL Players Association is the exclusive collective bargaining agent for all players employed by clubs of the National Football League. Founded in 1956, the NFLPA works to ensure that the rights and interests of NFL players are protected. In addition, the NFLPA strives to be a valuable resource and to maximize player opportunities on and off the field through membership programs and community activities. For further information, visit www.NFLPLAYERS.com.

ABOUT THE MLBPA
The Major League Baseball Players Association (www.MLBPLAYERS.com) is the collective bargaining representative for all professional baseball players of the thirty Major League Baseball teams and serves as the exclusive group licensing agent for commercial and licensing activities involving active Major League baseball players. On behalf of its members, it operates the Players Choice licensing program and the Players Choice Awards, which benefit the needy through the Major League Baseball Players Trust, a charitable foundation established and run entirely by Major League baseball players.

ABOUT THE NHLPA
The National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), established in 1967, is a labor organization whose members are the players in the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHLPA works on behalf of the players in varied disciplines such as labor relations, product licensing, marketing, international hockey and community relations. In 1999, the NHLPA launched the Goals & Dreams fund to give back to the game they love. Since inception, more than 40,000 deserving children in 22 countries have benefited from the players' donations of hockey equipment. Goals & Dreams has donated more than $18-million to grassroots hockey programs making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA, please visit NHLPA.com .

ABOUT THE NBPA
As the recognized labor union for all NBA Players, the NBPA has fought to promote the best interests of NBA players both on and off the court for over 40 years. Whether we are negotiating a collective bargaining agreement, prosecuting a grievance on a player’s behalf, or counseling a player on benefits or educational opportunities, our mission remains the same – To ensure that the rights of NBA players are protected, and that everything possible is being done to help players maximize their opportunities and achieve their goals on and off the court. www.NBPA.com.

Source: MLBPA, NFLPA, NHLPA, NBPA, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• Players Unions From MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA Join Clinton Bush Fund-Raising Effort for Haiti Earthquake Relief
• Shane Victorino Gets 3-yr, $22M Deal from Phils to Avoid Salary Abritration
• Transaction Action: Royals Sign Rick Ankiel
• Over Half-A-Billion Dollars Allocated Through Salary Arbitration Contracts
• Brewers Agree with Coffey on 1-yr Deal Avoiding Arbitration
• Transaction Action: Angels Pick Up Pineiro to Fill Out Rotation
• Transaction Action: Dotel and Pirates Agree on Deal
• Phillies, Blanton Agree on 3-yr, $24M Deal Avoiding Salary Arbitration
• MASN Releases 2010 Broadcast Schedule for Nationals and Orioles
• Mariners Settle with League on a 1-yr, $1,087,500 Deal, Avoiding Arbitration
• Texas Rangers Sale Down to Dotting the "I"s and Crossing "T"

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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What made the USA victory is 1980 over U.S.S.R. special wasn’t just the political turmoil, it was that all the USA players were college kids. They faced up against mighty U.S.S.R. pros and took them down, resulting in the greatest upset and greatest game in the history of American sports. Now, pros play pros and even an upset such as Czech Republic’s Olympic victory in 1998 still featured the NHL’s best including Dominick Hasek, Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang. The NHL’s commissioner Gary Bettman would like to take it back to 1980 and keep the NHL’s biggest stars out of the Olympics.

Bettman said Thursday he planned on “discussing the issue” with the Players Association. "It's difficult for any business, any league, to shut down for two weeks with the attendant loss of attention and everything that flows from that," Bettman told reporters after speaking to a business audience in Calgary, where three players from the NHL's Flames will compete in Vancouver. "And there are competitive issues. Our teams send a varying amount of players to the Olympics and so a team that sends eight or nine players may come back a little more tired and banged up than an NHL team that sends none or one or two."

The current rule began with the Czech’s shocker in Nagano, Japan in 1998. Major League Baseball does not allow its players to compete in Olympics, which the NBA does. The NBA’s season, however, is not interrupted for the Olympics as the NHL’s is. The only other professional league that sends players in the middle of its season is the WNBA. Bettman’s concern is that some teams send several players while other teams keep their best fresh.

Bettman did note the importance of the NHL’s players playing in Olympics hosted in North American cities, but said he wasn’t sure if the same stood true for Olympic games in other hemispheres. "So the question is, is it worth it? I don't have an answer for that yet and it's fortunately something we don't have to decide right now," he said.

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• Brewers Agree with Coffey on 1-yr Deal Avoiding Arbitration
• Transaction Action: Angels Pick Up Pineiro to Fill Out Rotation
• Transaction Action: Dotel and Pirates Agree on Deal
• Phillies, Blanton Agree on 3-yr, $24M Deal Avoiding Salary Arbitration
• MASN Releases 2010 Broadcast Schedule for Nationals and Orioles
• Mariners Settle with League on a 1-yr, $1,087,500 Deal, Avoiding Arbitration
• Texas Rangers Sale Down to Dotting the "I"s and Crossing "T"

Matthew Coller is a staff member of the Business of Sports Network, and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter

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