On March 9, a well-known yet not-exactly-reputable hockey blog posted rumors that the NHL's long-discussed return to ESPN was near. Knowing the source but still intrigued by the possibility, FanHouse reached out to ESPN to find out if there was any credibility to the rumors.There isn't.
According to ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz, there are no immediate plans to bring the NHL to ESPN. That means that, as of now, there is no major carrier lined up to broadcast NHL games next season, as the NHL's deal with NBC expires after this season. Versus will continue to carry games, but while their NHL package is better than given credit for, it isn't ideal for the league's top television exposure to be filtered through the still somewhat obscure network.
NBC might choose to re-up with the league for another year in order to cash in on Olympic synergy, since the network will be broadcasting the proceedings from Vancouver. Longer-term, however, the league needs to find a TV partner. Luckily, it has one ace in the hole in the Winter Classic, which makes buying TV rights for the sport a little more appealing.
There have been rumors for years that ESPN would get back into the NHL game, but those rumors have yet to materialize. The Worldwide Leader carried NHL games from 1992 through 2004 and was slated to continue until the 2004-2005 season was wiped out by the lockout. ESPN declined an option in the two post-lockout seasons to continue broadcasting games, opening the door for Versus, a deal which has been the source of ridicule in the sports world. A deal with ESPN would return a lot of credibility to the NHL, which is slowly building a young core of marketable stars and seeing attendance increase.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-15-2009 @ 3:20PM
smehl1506 said...
Yes, the NHL has a league full of new, marketable young stars. But the owners continue to hide them in the Mystery Network (aka Versus) which no one can watch. They would rather take a little more money from Versus than help expand this great support by getting a deal with ESPN (or even Fox Sports Net, which would still be better than Versus). Talk about being penny-wise and pound foolish.
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3-15-2009 @ 5:42PM
pladd said...
I would like think Sidney Crosby for elevating hockey to a new level.
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3-16-2009 @ 7:41PM
shustringracing said...
Stay away from ESPN.. PLEASE!!!! If it isn't Gloria Vanderbilt U vs. P.U.. On a court of wood with a big round ball. In front of a live audience of about 2,700 people. They won't give it any coverage!!
They didn't promote the game when they had it, and they won't now. Just watch Sportscenter. Hockey is barely covered (which was the same when they had the game)!... And when it is, there is always the "went to fight and a Hockey game broke out" mentality. STAY AWAY... The basketball and poker network is joke!
Versus does a great job promoting the game, and the network continues to grow (soon they can now cross promote to the IRL audience)... Stick with it!
As far as the NBC games. There nice an all, and they do a nice job. BUT! Hockey games, in my opinion, do not work in the afternoon! That's why Hockey "DAY" in Canada, is only once a year!! :)
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3-17-2009 @ 7:06AM
wishbone531 said...
crosby is a joke..........not even best player on his team....wings 09
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3-17-2009 @ 7:23AM
sg9035 said...
While the tv situation is bad,it is better than non at all.but lets look at the current problems with versus..
The biggest problem is favoritism..For instance on other channels if a panel was discussing say the NFL,they would reference their comments to the team they are discussing against the latest superbowl champions,who one would have to agree are the BEST. However on Versus those idiots on the panel dont do this,in fact if you will notice they go out of their way to avoid even mentioning who is the champions,and we all know that it is the RED WINGS..That moron Keith Jones could not manage a team of burger makers at your local McDonalds..He is so biased towards certain teams and players like Crosby always referring them as the best...Just think back as to when he commented on the Wings in a positive manner,or say that they are the leaders in scoring,top of the division and conference,and are leading on points..But then again nobody else on the panel does,so just maybe there is a conspiracy against the Wings,or maybe they have been TOLD to downplay the winning ways over the last decade of the WINGS..I just hope the Wings can shoot them all down in flames and win the Cup again,although I think this year is going to be tough,and may have to beat either Boston or New Jersay to do so..
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3-21-2009 @ 2:06PM
gobluespartyon said...
To Shustingacing NHL needs ESPN more than ESPN needs the NHL that is fact. Basketball isn't a joke either it's a pretty good sport. NHL needs to get deal with ESPN or FSN to have a National game Versus sucks covering sports plus people don't know where to fine where Versus is. I only watch Versus when the Redwings are on otherwise I don't watch Versus. Sidney Crosby isn't a joke he the best player on the Pens. Sidney Croby & Alex Ovechkin are faces of NHL hockey and are my favorite players in hockey
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