Deal has one-, three-year options for cable giant
PHILADELPHIA -- The National Hockey League and cable giant Comcast have agreed to a two-year, $100 million deal to televise games beginning this season, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The deal reportedly is pending approval by the NHL's Board of Governors, a process widely believed to be just a formality.
The agreement, which concluded 10 days of negotiations, includes one- and three-year options for Comcast. But the NHL reportedly has the right to end the partnership after the initial two years. The company will be required to air two games per week nationally, presumably on its Outdoor Life Network, according to the Inquirer.
Once the deal is approved, the NHL will forward it to ESPN, which elected not to renew its two-year option to televise games in April. ESPN, which had carried the NHL since 1985, has the right to match any offer.
"We have a matching right and remain interested in continuing our relationship with the NHL, as long as the deal is commensurate with the value of the rights being offered," ESPN said in a prepared statement.
NBC, which inked a two-year deal with the NHL prior to last year's lockout, will air seven regular-season games, six playoff contests and all but the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals.
SportsTicker, which issued this report, is owned by ESPN.
