The idea of a bikini hockey league came to Tulsan Cary Eskridge back in 2004 when the National Hockey League lockout occurred. The lack of major league hockey left the media scrambling to fill the void of hockey news and fans looking for other forms of entertainment. Not a man to sit still, Eskridge started looking for ways to fill the void and that is when the idea of bikini hockey came to Eskridge’s mind.
But there was not enough time to react and make the dream a reality at that time. So the idea stayed on the back burner waiting for the right time. Well, that time has finally come.
Eskridge has an extensive hockey background and feels now is the time to finally breathe life into his long-time dream. Eskridge has a background in video production and has also owned inline hockey leagues on and off for the past 20 years and believes the Bikini Hockey League could bring back the popularity and awareness of inline hockey to the mainstream and introduce new fans to a great sport.
Starting next month, Eskridge will start filming the pilot of a reality TV show that
revolves around a bikini hockey league. But many are asking, “why Tulsa?” Why not a larger sports market such as New York or Los Angeles where more fans and potential participants can be reached?
League owner Cary Eskridge feels Tulsa is a good location for many reasons. Tulsa’s
central location is one factor. “You just have to look at other major sports that have come to Tulsa,” said Eskridge. “One of Tulsa’s biggest events on a national scale is the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals held every year at the QuikTrip Center. Many thought it would never work when it started more than 25 years ago and now Tulsa is one of the biggest reasons that event works here.”
Eskridge has spent a lifetime promoting hockey in the Tulsa area and knows this market. Tulsa’s central location will reduce travel time and more importantly reduce production costs that would be enormous in major markets. Professional hockey has been played in Tulsa since 1928 and is a big part of Tulsa’s sports history. Eskridge is ready for Tulsa to take the next step.Eskridge told FOX Sports, "We have several different networks that are interested already. We're not able to say who right now, but we feel like this could truly be compelling and interesting. There's always a storyline with girls being from different areas of the country and the different personalities."
Number #1 draft pick? Has to be Paulina Gretzky. Or maybe not. But if this takes off - the league could travel through all the empty NHL arenas.
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