ESPN declines NHL option for next season

[wilheim]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — ESPN will not pick up a $60-million option to retain NHL broadcasting rights for next season, the network said Saturday.
ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said the network would have further comment next week. The option deadline is Wednesday.

The decision was first reported by the Los Angeles Times and Rogers Sportsnet in Canada.

While ESPN will not pick up the option on the deal it agreed to in May 2004, the longtime NHL broadcaster could try to retain the rights for less money.

The NHL, in negotiations with the players' association to end the lockout that wiped out all of last season, has a two-year deal with NBC to televise games when play resumes. The league also has TV deals in Canada with CBC and The Sports Network.

 

[NICKYTHEFISH]

Its a shame what has happened to hockey. I was not the biggest hockey fan but I will say that NHL post season action is awesome. Too bad.

 

[ClipJoint]

Just another reason the NHL phucked this up in a major way. Now ESPN will still get the rights but they will probably get it for half of what they would have had their been a season this year. STUPID.

 

[winkyduck]

Just another reason the NHL phucked this up in a major way. Now ESPN will still get the rights but they will probably get it for half of what they would have had their been a season this year. STUPID.

BINGO

and eep in mind the NHL gets ZIPPO from NBC upfront for its rights fees - the agreement is like Arena Footbal lin that the league only gets money after production costs are met and THEN profit (if there is any) will be split 50/50

HOWEVER

having said all that - don't think the owners are too upset - for now this gives them a chance to hammer it to the players even more - crying poverty and this time - who knows.

my guess is WHEN the NHL comes back (when it comes back - who knows - but it will come back) the salary cap won't even be $40M and that will be interesting to see what teams like NYR, Det, Colo and a fee others do - for there are gonna be some bodies out on the street

 

[sharky99]

Can it get uglier?:howdy: , just wait....

 

[Mr.Jones]

This should be on the main forum. They ate each other for dinner by God!!!

 

[wmublows]

I hate watching games on ESPN. Hockey Night in Canada rules .

 

[GreenDoberman]

At least now they can find time for those World Series of Poker reruns. They are harder to find than an infomercial at 4am.

 

[gwienges]

:finger:

 

[gwienges]

:finger: :finger:

 

[gwienges]

:finger: :finger: :finger:

 

[joegaffney]

They deserve what they are getting

 

[hardcorecap]

Hockey screwed up when it tried to become a white collar sport. Hockey has always been blue collar, and when prices got to the point where only business could by them, the people sitting there didnt have a clue, and real fans lost interest. They gotta contract, get cities like Quebec, Winnipeg and other places that love the sport back.

 

[mizagot]

Nicely said. The blue collar fan base is what supported the league for all of history.