The Penguins today announced what many of us have been wondering about for the last two days — would the big screen be in effect for NBC’s Sunday afternoon broadcast of game 2 against the Montreal Canadiens? The answer is unfortunately no.
It will be on for tonight’s game number 1, however the team is not permitted to show Sunday’s game due to the league’s broadcast rights.
Fans with tickets to Sunday’s game are still invited to take part in the Tailgate on the Terrace and can begin having their tickets scanned to enter the event at noon on Sunday.
Here is the official release:
PENS FANS CAN WATCH GAME 1 ON OUTDOOR SCREEN TONIGHT,
BUT SCREEN WILL NOT BE IN OPERATION FOR GAME 2 SUNDAY
Penguins fans will be able to watch Game 1 tonight and most of the remainder of the Penguins-Canadiens playoff series on the outdoor screen in front of Mellon Arena.
However, the Penguins are not permitted to show Game 2 on the outdoor screen Sunday afternoon in accordance with league broadcasting rights.
All other games of the best-of-seven series will be shown on the outdoor screen.
The outdoor screen is provided courtesy of CONSOL Energy and Trib Total Media. For safety reasons, grills and alcohol will be prohibited in the viewing area.
Fans with tickets to Friday and Sunday’s home games are invited to attend the “Tailgate on the Terrace” presented by Trib Total Media. Admission to the open-air concession area located above Gate 3 is free; however, patrons must have tickets to that day’s game to enter. Aramark will sell a variety of food and beverages and live entertainment will be provided.
Fans can have their tickets scanned and enter the terrace beginning at 5:00 pm on Friday and noon on Sunday. The entrance will be located near the Will Call windows at Gate 1. Will Call will open two hours before game time to accommodate patrons planning to attend the event. Fans may enter Mellon Arena from the terrace when gates open to the general public. In the event of inclement weather, the tailgate area will be closed.
Game times are 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Mellon Arena gates will open at 6:00 pm on Friday. Gates will open at 12:30 pm on Sunday – a half-hour earlier than normal – due to the Pittsburgh Marathon.
In addition, the Penguins are calling for “whiteouts” for this weekend’s home games. Each fan in attendance will receive a white t-shirt and rally towel. Friday’s rally towels are presented by GNC. Sunday’s rally towels are courtesy of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin.
Nice move NBC… This is the way you build a fan base for sports. You really need those 3-5oo fan to go home and watch a tv so you can get your ratings up? They should all go the the Arena and listen to it on the radio just to spite your actions. Shame on NBC!!
3000-5000 is what I meant to say. GO PENS!!
Can’t the Pens just use the scoreboard feed?
It was previously reported that NBC would allow, the way they did with Chicago. Why the change of heart?
NBC (and the league for not fighting it) prove once again that they just don’t get it.
Personally, I don’t think that NBC ever gave the go ahead for this year. Seemed like the announcement of the second round just came out in a sort of vague way… it never specified anything from NBC… they must have gotten wind of it today and put the clamp down.
Not sure what the thinking is… pretty ridiculous if you ask me!
The double standard to allow it in chicago, but not here is what irks me the most. If you’re gonna be dumb, at least be consistent about it.
Not sure how they worked around it in Chicago…someone mentioned that they didn’t use the NBC feed in those situations…
I know that the Penguins were offered a Canadian feed last year, but didn’t want to get into a urinating contest with anyone…
The Buffalo Sabres were able to have a big scren out and in use while NBC broadcast. They broadcast it through the Jumbo Tron out side into a tent. Why can the PENS not do that?
Just use the atdhe feed off the net…..
sorry did I just say that…
oops
Idiots NBC and Im not even in Pittsburgh
I just saw that the CBC feed is on the lawn….
Great to see….