Sportsnet roasted online over AI-generated versions of analysts in Game 1 intro

Sportsnet unveiled an odd AI-generated segment during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final last night and it has left hockey fans a bit perplexed.

Mostly it has fans asking the question, "Who the Hell asked for a AI-baby version of Ron MacLean?"

Host Ron MacLean and analysts Kelly Hrudey, Kevin Bieksa and Elliotte Friedman were presented as babies in an AI-generated segment that was both simultaneously eerie and stupid.

I mean, seriously... what's the point of this crap?

Is this just for amusement? 

I thought we were here to watch a hockey pre-game show, not a Teletubbies broadcast...

To me, this just further reiterates how out of touch Sportsnet and Rogers has become as the NHL's exclusive broadcast rights holder in Canada. There's no reason for them to be creative or insightful with their broadcasts because they face no competition. So instead of investing in quality coverage, they just dump AI generated slop on us because it's cheap and easy. C'mon Rogers... you're a multi-BILLION dollar corporation. At least try to do the bare minimum... this is something I'd expect from a cornhole broadcast or a frisbee golf league, not the NHL.

As you can imagine, reaction from fans online was particularly brutal.

Check it out:

Safe to say I don't think Sportsnet will be messing with the weird AI baby videos anymore...