The one sport I never thought would go Hollywood has. "The New NHL" has begun a series of ads that features glitz and glam in attempts to spark interest and show the new face of the sport that was absent not only for a season, but never really compared in popularity to baseball, football or basketball.

For the NHL, the ad team created a series of commercials and print ads that will be released next week, and will be packaged in a five-part story that will unfold through February. The commercials could not feature real players because of the amount of time since the end of the lockout and the number of free agents moving around; however, I think these commercials would be more effective if they did feature real players instead of actors.

The first spot, titled "It's Time," carries a theme of war. The player, or really the actor, is in a locker room, surrounded by candles and accompanied by a scandalously-clad woman who helps him with his hockey garb. The ads feature quotes from Sun Tzu's "The Art of War," as well as dramatic camera movement and music like that of a blockbuster warrior film.

Martha Burke, the chair of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, is already protesting the ads, citing that the films are an exploitation of women and condoning sex and violence. However, the makers of the ad feel that the player is symbolic of a warrior getting ready to do battle again. For me, this ad means nothing, especially because the man is not an NHL player. The campaign is a waste of money that the sport could be using to promote real players, have promotions for ticket sales, or use for broadcasting games.

With the new ad campaign, the players and the executives behind the decision feel that the game will excite and attract new and old fans, bringing some spotlight back to the sport. As an avid hockey fan, especially for the Devils, I feel that part of the attraction of the sport was the less celebrity status of the players, but rather the grit and grind of their on-ice performance.

With every popular athlete becoming the status of a celebrity off the field or court as well, it again blurs the line between entertainment and sports. ESPN even launched a show, creatively called ESPN Hollywood, because with sports, the endorsements and the promotions do wander across the line of entertainment. Athletes from all the main sports have had their 15 minutes of fame and story in the spotlight.

For instance, Tom Brady, whose girlfriend actress, good looks and charisma of an actor, has made him a success on the field and off the field. In baseball, Johnny Damon has capitalized on his World Series win last year, by appearing in magazines such as GQ and on television shows such as "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" to get even more tips on his "Passion of the Christ" style hair. Additionally Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat was named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People and Matt Leinart of USC is best buds with Nick Lachey.

The appeal of the Hollywood lifestyle and celebrity status of athletes is constant in each sport; yet, somehow, hockey did not seem that Hollywood-ized. However, now the NHL is not even using its own player to be celebrities; instead, actors are playing the players. I would rather see Jeremy Roenick (whose attitude and mouth has finally made it to LA) in ads that promote him as an actual player and the sport.

Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely happy that hockey is back on the ice; however, I just hope the game is better than the ads that are selling it.

Some random thoughts on sports…

* The Los Angeles Clippers moving to Anaheim. There is a strong basketball following in Orange County and instead of mooching off the two LA teams, Anaheim deserves its own team even if it is the Clippers.

* Change the NHL schedule back to each team playing each other during the season. I’m from New Jersey and I look forward to each year when the Devils come to play the Ducks and Kings. These are two hockey games I never miss; however, now with the new rules, teams in each division will rotate playing other teams each year. I know this change in scheduling is to promote rivalries among local teams and probably save traveling costs since the lockout; however, for fans that have moved, it is unfortunate.

* The New Orleans Saints moving to LA. There is speculation that Los Angeles will be getting a football team in 2008, but since the Saints won’t have a home for a while, move them to LA. The stadium could be filled with people wearing black and silver, but at least there will be football in LA again.

* Steven A. Smith’s show: I have only been able to catch a few episodes, but I’m not digging the format. Not everyone likes his opinionated views, but I think for them to showcase his position of different issues, he needs a PTI-type show where he can debate and do what he does best: argue.

Any random thoughts, email me at devilgirl30365@yahoo.com.