With Christmas Day quickly approaching, sports fans have a packed slate of games to look forward to both in the NBA and NFL. ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+ will televise five NBA games throughout the day and the NFL will also present a triple-header across CBS, FOX, and ABC. Many sports fans throughout the country, including 670 The Score morning co-host Mike Mulligan, have an interest in these significant games.
Whereas these leagues have games in accordance with the Christmas holiday, the National Hockey League has taken a contrasting approach by instituting a holiday break during the year that allows players and team personnel to spend time with their families.
Former NHL on ESPN analyst and current BetMGM brand ambassador Chris Chelios joined Mully & Haugh on 670 The Score on Tuesday to discuss the Chicago Blackhawks and sports topics at large. When asked about the NHL holiday break, he expressed how the time at home was something he valued during his 27-year career in the league.
“It’s the little things for the hockey players that really go a long way, and that was one of them,” Chelios said to Mike Mulligan and David Haugh. “At least spend that time with your family and make up those games at different points in the season. I know what they’re thinking – for TV they want those games, and that’s part of the business part of it – but I think it’s great that the guys can have a little more time over the holidays, especially Christmas, with their families.”
ESPN laid off Chelios over the summer as part of The Walt Disney Company’s effort to slash $5.5 billion in operating costs following its strategic reorganization into three core business units.
Before appearing on studio coverage for NHL on ESPN broadcasts, he was part of the network’s commentary lineup for the World Cup of Hockey and the front office for the Detroit Red Wings. Mulligan and co-host David Haugh frequently have Chelios on their program and kept the conversation going surrounding the fact that sporting events are played on the holiday.
“It is insane that on Christmas Day, there are three NFL games and five NBA games,” Mike Mulligan said. “I want to be present with the family, but I always don’t want to miss a good sporting event, so it’s a dilemma for some of us.”
“Yeah, I think it just flat-out stinks that you have to play on Christmas Day,” Chelios concurred. “It’s great you’re sitting home with everybody, but at the end of the day you’re not even really watching the games because you’re with family…. I’m a big fan of football, but I just prefer no sports on Christmas.”
