It’s been rumored for months and now it’s about to be official, the NHL is returning to ESPN. Although both parties have declined comment, the partnership was first reported by Chris Johnston of Sportsnet, and later confirmed by The New York Post.
Financial terms were not announced, but ESPN and the NHL are believed to have reached a seven-year TV rights partnership beginning next season. From 2022-2028 ESPN will be one of the NHL’s rightsholders in a deal that expects to see the network carry four Stanley Cup Finals. It will be the first time since 2004 that an NHL game airs on linear television for ESPN.
In 2011, NBC and the NHL signed a 10-year contract worth $200 million annually. The NHL’s new media agreement is expected to be more lucrative, thanks in part to their deal with NBC Sports which did plenty to help the league grow. The Winter Classic, Hockey Week in America and nationally televising every Stanley Cup playoff game has seen the NHL regain some popularity in the U.S.
After previously selling their national TV package exclusively to one network, the NHL sought to split their broadcast rights this time around to maximize profits. Similarly, it would have been difficult for ESPN or NBC to afford exclusive rights to the NHL considering forthcoming NFL deals are expected to cost the networks at least $2 billion annually.
NBC has not been confirmed as the other media company involved in the NHL’s rights deal, but it is certainly in play to retain half the package which would include three Stanley Cups. Despite NBC being the favorite, FOX and CBS were also said to have interest in NHL rights when the league began ramping up negotiations last year.
