The NHL isreturning to ESPN. The league and the U.S.-based TV station have agreed to a seven-year deal beginning in 2021-22 through the 2027-28 season, . Here are the details from the joint pre s release: The visionary, first-of-its-kind agreement brings the NHL back to Disney and ESPN platforms and illustrates the unique position of The Walt Disney Company to bring the best hockey Boston Bruins Jersey in the world to millions acro s its unparalleled collection of media platforms. It is highlighted by: exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final on ABC in four of the seven years of the agreement, with the ability to simulcast/megacast on ESPN+ and additional ESPN networks; the return of live NHL action to ESPN networks with 25 exclusive national regular-season games on ABC or ESPN; 75 national regular-season games per season produced by ESPN that will stream exclusively on both ESPN+ and Hulu; half of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on ABC and ESPN each season; and coverage annually of NHLs Face-off (opening night games), the NHL All-Star Game and Skills Challenge, plus other NHL special events each season. ESPN said it will announce plans for additional studio programming at a later date to join "In The Crease," adaily NHL highlights show on ESPN+ featuring Linda Cohn and Barry Melrose. While the financial terms are officially unknown at this time, , ESPN will pay more than $400 million a year. NBC,who is currently the NHL's broadcast rights-holder, pays $200 million a year to broadcast NHL games and the contract expires after this season. It wasn't clear if NBC will enter into a renewed agreement to share NHL rights with ESPN going forward. A second broadcaster has yet to be announced. MORE: ESPN was the home of the NHL from 1992 to 2004, with some of the biggest broadcast names calling games. That includes current Monday Night Football play-by-play announcer Steve Levy, Gary Thorne, Jack Edwards and the late Dave Strader. Analysts included Darren Pang, Bill Clement, Brian Engblom and current NBC analyst Eddie Olcyzk. Due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout that resulted in the entire season being lost, ESPN did not pick up its option for 2005-06 for $60 million. "Tonight, we informed the NHL that we did not accept their final contract offer," ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer . "We worked very hard to build and sustain our relationship with the league and would have liked to continue. However, given the prolonged work stoppage and the league's TV ratings history, no financial model even remotely supports the contract terms offered." The league moved over to Comcast's Outdoor Life Network which then became Versus and then NBC Sports Network after they agreed to a three-year deal worth more than $200 million. Today, ESPN has expanded coverage of the league on ESPN+ with the airing of games and NHL-related shows. There has been no word if "NHL 2Night" the popular daily NHL-oriented show that was hosted by John Buccigro s and included analysts Barry Melrose, Ray Ferraro and E.J. Hradek would return. Fans are regardle s salivating at the idea. Reaction on Twitter was also positive regarding the news of ESPN and the NHL reuniting: Lets hope and Chicken Parm have a reunion Adrian Dater (@adater) Re-united? NJ Devil (@NJDevil00) This is really great for the NHL. ESPN is a big network in the U.S. and anytime you get involved with Disney is a win win situation Off the Rails Sports Podcast (@OTRsports99) Woohoo!!!!!! Sources: NHL, ESPN reach seven-year U.S. broadcast deal - Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) It's really good for the NHL and hockey to have ESPN invested in the sport. Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) If this doesn't return we protest very strongly Matt Porter (@mattyports) ESPN producers dusting off the "NHL on ESPN" theme song Fitz (@FitzGSN_) Andy Moog Jersey
The NHL isreturning to ESPN. The league and the U.S.-based TV station have agreed to a seven-year deal beginning in 2021-22 through the 2027-28 season, . Here are the details from the joint pre s release: The visionary, first-of-its-kind agreement brings the NHL back to Disney and ESPN platforms and illustrates the unique position of The Walt Disney Company to bring the best hockey Boston Bruins Jersey in the world to millions acro s its unparalleled collection of media platforms. It is highlighted by: exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final on ABC in four of the seven years of the agreement, with the ability to simulcast/megacast on ESPN+ and additional ESPN networks; the return of live NHL action to ESPN networks with 25 exclusive national regular-season games on ABC or ESPN; 75 national regular-season games per season produced by ESPN that will stream exclusively on both ESPN+ and Hulu; half of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on ABC and ESPN each season; and coverage annually of NHLs Face-off (opening night games), the NHL All-Star Game and Skills Challenge, plus other NHL special events each season. ESPN said it will announce plans for additional studio programming at a later date to join "In The Crease," adaily NHL highlights show on ESPN+ featuring Linda Cohn and Barry Melrose. While the financial terms are officially unknown at this time, , ESPN will pay more than $400 million a year. NBC,who is currently the NHL's broadcast rights-holder, pays $200 million a year to broadcast NHL games and the contract expires after this season. It wasn't clear if NBC will enter into a renewed agreement to share NHL rights with ESPN going forward. A second broadcaster has yet to be announced. MORE: ESPN was the home of the NHL from 1992 to 2004, with some of the biggest broadcast names calling games. That includes current Monday Night Football play-by-play announcer Steve Levy, Gary Thorne, Jack Edwards and the late Dave Strader. Analysts included Darren Pang, Bill Clement, Brian Engblom and current NBC analyst Eddie Olcyzk. Due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout that resulted in the entire season being lost, ESPN did not pick up its option for 2005-06 for $60 million. "Tonight, we informed the NHL that we did not accept their final contract offer," ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer . "We worked very hard to build and sustain our relationship with the league and would have liked to continue. However, given the prolonged work stoppage and the league's TV ratings history, no financial model even remotely supports the contract terms offered." The league moved over to Comcast's Outdoor Life Network which then became Versus and then NBC Sports Network after they agreed to a three-year deal worth more than $200 million. Today, ESPN has expanded coverage of the league on ESPN+ with the airing of games and NHL-related shows. There has been no word if "NHL 2Night" the popular daily NHL-oriented show that was hosted by John Buccigro s and included analysts Barry Melrose, Ray Ferraro and E.J. Hradek would return. Fans are regardle s salivating at the idea. Reaction on Twitter was also positive regarding the news of ESPN and the NHL reuniting: Lets hope and Chicken Parm have a reunion Adrian Dater (@adater) Re-united? NJ Devil (@NJDevil00) This is really great for the NHL. ESPN is a big network in the U.S. and anytime you get involved with Disney is a win win situation Off the Rails Sports Podcast (@OTRsports99) Woohoo!!!!!! Sources: NHL, ESPN reach seven-year U.S. broadcast deal - Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) It's really good for the NHL and hockey to have ESPN invested in the sport. Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) If this doesn't return we protest very strongly Matt Porter (@mattyports) ESPN producers dusting off the "NHL on ESPN" theme song Fitz (@FitzGSN_) Andy Moog Jersey