The head of NBC sports wants NHL stars on his network to stay clean-shaven during the playoffs and ditch the longstanding tradition of growing beards during their quest for the Stanley Cup.
NBC Sports Chairman Mike Lazarus told The Chicago Tribune that he wants the handsome faces of the NHL’s stars out there for the fans to see.
“Let’s get their faces out there. Let’s talk about how young and attractive they are. What model citizens they are. (Hockey players) truly are one of a kind among professional athletes,” Lazarus said.
Playoff beards have been a tradition in the NHL since the New York Islanders dynasty of the 1980s when players like Denis Potvin channeled their inner lumberjack.
Playoff beards have continued since with varying degrees of success – Sidney Crosby’s beard, for example, is sparse. However, others like Mike Commodore, have embraced their beardedness.
But if it were up to Lazarus, players skating during the Stanley Cup Finals would be more Crosby-esque than Commodore – he wants them to look like “the kid next door.
“I know it’s a tradition and superstition, but I think (the beards do) hurt recognition. They have a great opportunity with more endorsements. Or simply more recognition with fans saying, ‘That guy looks like the kid next door,’ which many of these guys do. I think that would be a nice thing.”
The 2015 NHL playoffs have been a boon for NBC Sports. Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning was NBC’s best rated hockey game since it got the rights in 2005.
And Lazarus, who brought his request to the league, thinks NHL players should cash in on that fandom by making their faces more recognizable.
“These are the most watched games and they’re all bearded up,” Lazarus said.
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