According to a report by Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, the NHL and ESPN have reportedly struck a substantial deal as part of a new U.S. media rights package that will see professional hockey on the ESPN network for the next seven seasons.
Johnston writes, “ESPN is believed to have reached a seven-year deal to become one of the league’s media partners starting next season.” The NHL has not confirmed the reports, but the deal will included ESPN getting the rights to broadcast four Stanley Cup Finals between 2022 and 2028, plus streaming rights for Disney.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but NBC currently pays $200 million annually for exclusive U.S. media rights that expire after this season. One has to believe the new deal is worth significantly more.
As Craig Custance wrote, “It’s really good for the NHL and hockey to have ESPN invested in the sport.” This is probably very true as that network has a clear ability to grow the game in the United States and has put their money behind that desire.
Another media company may split the package with ESPN, so there may be more news on that front.
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