It’s June, and they’re still playing hockey – in South Florida.
Imagine walking into the arena in flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts as a member of the Florida Panthers. I don’t know if it happens or not, but why not?
It’s nothing new. Florida has played host to the Stanley Cup Finals series for the past six seasons. Tampa Bay played in three straight Cup finals, followed by the Panthers from 2023 to 2025.
Years ago, the NHL expanded to the South, setting up a franchise In Atlanta (the Flames). The move didn’t yield fruit. But the league tried again, establishing franchises in Tampa, Miami, and Nashville.
It’s amazing what a business entity (that’s what pro sports organizations are) can do when they convince people they want – and need – a team. It’s a combination of marketing and nostalgia.
The interesting thing about hockey in the South, especially Florida, is the influx of people from northern states to the Sunshine State. Essentially, hockey is a northern sport. In fact, it’s a Canadian sport, meant to be played on frozen ponds.
But if you love hockey, it doesn’t matter where or when it’s played. And, you won’t find more contrast than the two teams in the Stanley Cup Finals – Florida and Edmonton.
SURPRISE, SURPRISE
Is anyone surprised that Aaron Rodgers landed in Pittsburgh?
No. Not by a long shot. The only surprise, if any, is why it took so long to finalize the 1-year contract the former Green Bay Packer turned New York Jet quarterback with his newest team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
You have to hand it to the National Football League. The multi-billion-dollar monolithic professional sports league loves a good storyline. Adding to the storyline is a looming season-opening matchup between the Steelers and Jets in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sept. 7.
This marks the second consecutive season Pittsburgh has inked a veteran quarterback. Last year, the Steelers gambled (and lost) on former Seattle Seahawk and Denver Bronco
Russell Wilson. Chances are the same fate awaits Rodgers with his latest team. The University of California standout was drafted by Green Bay, where he served under mentor Brett Favre until he assumed the starting position in 2008.
Rodgers won a Super Bowl (ironically against the Steelers) and appeared in two more NFC Championship games (2014 and 2016). But Rodgers, known for his late-game Hail Mary heroics and precision passes, has not played up to his standards. Which begs the question: Why sign a player with continuing diminishing returns?
If the Black and Gold thinks that Rodgers will help fill a void left by the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, they are mistaken. At best, Pittsburgh is hoping (against hope) that Rodgers will play enough to keep Mike Tomlin’s string of non-losing seasons (which spans from 2007 to 2024).
