Three bidding for NHL US tv rights

[dash]

and it's pushing the price tag up over $200 million...

The NHL is poised to sign its biggest media rights deal within the next two months, as the presence of three bidders is pushing the annual rights fee above $200 million, sources familiar with the discussions said.

The NHL is expecting to entertain offers from ESPN, NBC/Versus and a surprisingly strong push from Turner. Fox, which had early talks with the NHL, is not believed to be in the running to pick up the rights.

The presence of three bidders will help to push the league’s rights fee well beyond the $77.5 million per year that Versus now pays. The fee also is expected to exceed – by far – the $120 million per year average that ESPN paid from 1999 to 2004, which is the NHL’s largest contract to date. The league’s current deal with NBC is a revenue-sharing deal that does not involve a rights fee.

It’s difficult to declare a front-runner, sources said. But NBC and Versus hold a significant advantage over the other bidders. Their current contracts give them the right to match other offers the NHL gets, from either ESPN or Turner.

NHL annual rights fee to top $200 million - SportsBusiness Daily | SportsBusiness Journal

 

[maddogmark25]

Anything but TNT

Just imagine Charles Barkley on the NHL on TNT pregame show :charlie:

 

[Comeds]

That reads like they are just selling the one package, I was hoping multiple networks could end up with games.

 

[Comeds]

Anything but TNT

Just imagine Charles Barkley on the NHL on TNT pregame show :charlie:

You just sold it to me. And Hasek could do NBA pre-game stuff.

 

[Slimpikins]

Good for the NHL. If they are smart they will work out a deal with each of the networks to get more coverage. Exclusivity is overrated (for the league, it's great if your the network).

It will force Pens and Caps fans to make sure they get three channels to be able to watch their games instead of one.

 

[SLY]

That reads like they are just selling the one package, I was hoping multiple networks could end up with games.

Yea. I would like to see the NHL spread out on multiple networks with VS having the majority.

 

[dash]

That reads like they are just selling the one package, I was hoping multiple networks could end up with games.

It could still end up that way, comeds...Reports are coming from the ever popular "unnamed sources", so the accuracy of this story is not easily verifiable.

 

[pixburgher66]

They should at least do a tester thing with ESPN. And what I really hate about NBC getting a chance to match the deal is that for the first year that NBC held the rights they paid squat. But, because they gave the NHL a chance and probably think they're the reason it's gained popularity, they get to counter. I'll be fine with it going in any direction as long as it means lots of coverage. Turner would be interesting...that's for sure.

 

[TheRobotDevil]

Not the glow pucks again

 

[flyersfan4706]

Yea. I would like to see the NHL spread out on multiple networks with VS having the majority.

This would be nice. VS does deserve it.

 

[flyersfan4706]

Not the glow pucks again

Shit...

 

[SLY]

This would be nice. VS does deserve it.

They give the best coverage, and are truly showing they deserve it with their on ice/off ice/ and now playoff coverage.

ESPN would not be as giving, nor would TNT.

 

[Slimpikins]

Also, I am glad that Fox is out of the running. Hockey doesn't need glowing pucks and animated robots.


EDIT: I must be a slow typer...

 

[SLY]

Not the glow pucks again

Shit...

lmao... that was ridiculous.

 

[dash]

Also, I am glad that Fox is out of the running. Hockey doesn't need glowing pucks and animated robots.


EDIT: I must be a slow typer...

I didn't like the glowing pucks, but I thought the robots were cool...

 

[pixburgher66]

No matter what...bring them back.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Does anyone know what the NBA ratings were this year? I think they were down and i'm wondering if that is the reason ESPN is getting involved again. Plus a possible lock out next year.

I really am interesting in the ratings though because I know the NHL did pretty good.

Edit: I did a Google search and it looks like the NBA ratings are up this year.

 

[pixburgher66]

Does anyone know what the NBA ratings were this year? I think they were down and i'm wondering if that is the reason ESPN is getting involved again. Plus a possible lock out next year.

I really am interesting in the ratings though because I know the NHL did pretty good.

They're actually up this year. I just don't understand how someone can sit and watch that and find it exciting. Sure there are some boring NHL games too, but there's very rarely an exciting NBA game (sans the last 2 minutes). I like basketball as a sport...I understand the rules, I played it. But the NBA sucks.

EDIT: keep in mind however that the games shown are always involving a big name player (basically, it's the Lakers, Heat, Celtics, Bulls, Knicks on TV with lesser amounts of the Spurs, Clippers, Suns), where as NHL nationally televised games vary a little bit more. Sure the same names creep back up, but they show a greater variety.

 

[evolver115]

It will force Pens and Caps fans to make sure they get three channels to be able to watch their games instead of one.

Centre Ice FTW

And I would like to have NHL coverage back to Disney/espn. It would give me more incentive to watch sportscenter... which at this time of year consists of daily updates on the bron-bron love triangle in south beach, and Nascar coverage

 

[BOSSMANPC]

They're actually up this year. I just don't understand how someone can sit and watch that and find it exciting. Sure there are some boring NHL games too, but there's very rarely an exciting NBA game (sans the last 2 minutes). I like basketball as a sport...I understand the rules, I played it. But the NBA sucks.

I agree pix. At one time I liked the NBA but I can't stand it now. I will take a "boring" hockey game over a good NBA game any day.