[NHL] ESPN declines NHL option for next year

[Steffan]

LOS ANGELES -- 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.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2070927

This surprises me, but at the same time, it doesn't. This is just another blow to the NHL. It would be nice if ESPN showed some AHL games next season.

[quick]

Espn will definately not show AHL games...

I really think ESPN is just trying to cut down their price for thier NHL package, because they know no one else can pick it up at this point they run no risk really.

Its too late for other networks to pick it up, they have probably already commited to thier schedules or contracts.

ESPN is just trying to squeeze the NHL to get a discount...

[NEVER85]

I wonder how this will affect the CBA negotiations. Now that the NHL has just lost 60 million dollars, all progress made thus far might've just been thrown out the window.

[[hxc]]

it wouldn't surprise me if nhl never made a comeback, even though that would be pretty sad.

[riceboy]

No major loss if ESPN doesn't pick up the option. Even though NHL is a big thing here in Canada, After the crap with negotiations between the players and the owners earlier this, no one really gives a rats ass.

[Xx-ToXiCaTiOn-xX]

NHL Is crap now, I hate hockey now. Soccer is better and always will be. Forza Milan :D

fred666: Please do not troll threads in this manor.

[L3thal Veteran]

I wouldn't blame ESPN, to be honest. Looks like the NHL should just move to Canada or cancel itself entirely.

[....]

Smart move by ESPN. Don't support a dead sport.

[bayrider]

another kick to the face. I wonder if americans will ever see a televised hockey game anymore (not that they ddi already)

[....]

another kick to the face. I wonder if americans will ever see a televised hockey game anymore (not that they ddi already)

585988109[/snapback]

Well, would you invest all that money to show something that most likely won't even happen?

[NEVER85]

Well, would you invest all that money to show something that most likely won't even happen?

585990956[/snapback]

The NHL is in a mess right now, but that hardly means it's dead. Was MLB dead after the cancellation of the latter part of the 1994 season + playoffs? Came close, but no. Was the NFL dead after a players strike resorted to the league using replacement players? No. Was the NBA dead after a loss of over half a season? No. The NHL will come back, and it will be better than it's ever been.

[Chris Allen Veteran]

Smart move by ESPN.  Don't support a dead sport.

585987974[/snapback]

I disagree that this is a dead 'sport'. A dying 'league' maybe, but hardly a dead sport.

http://www.londonknights.com

I witnessed this past week that hockey was indeed NOT dead;

- A full season of Major Junior A hockey (one level below NHL) SOLD OUT of it's 9,600 capacity arena, every single game

- Memorial Cup (Canada's Stanley Cup for Junior Hockey) was SOLD OUT nearly 7 MONTHS before it even took place

- the town came ALIVE for this event; everyone wearing green T-shirts, thousands of London Knights jersey's sold, etc. Media was comparing this event to the Stanley Cup/Superbowl

- NHL superstars Wayne Gretzky, Brendan Shannehan, Paul Coffee, Scotty Bowman, etc were all in attendance because of the quality in players.

Hockey is not dead; you need to just find an alternative leage. Explain to me how it is possible that Corey Perry and Sidney Crosby are 2 MINOR LEAGUE JUNIOR players getting more media attention than the entire NHL and yet 'hockey is dead'.

Congratulations to the THOUSANDS of fans who attended the games and MILLIONS others who visited the website of the London Knights this season; it was truly a season never to be forgotten.

[Ryne]

But that's Canada. We are talking the US here, where hockey, of the four major sports, is deep in fourth place. Many clubs may not survive after this year. Also, those other leagues did not cancel a whole season, unlike hockey. They survived because of that, maybe hockey won't?

[oddcrap]

Doesn't at all surprise me.

[....]

The NHL is in a mess right now, but that hardly means it's dead. Was MLB dead after the cancellation of the latter part of the 1994 season + playoffs? Came close, but no. Was the NFL dead after a players strike resorted to the league using replacement players? No. Was the NBA dead after a loss of over half a season? No. The NHL will come back, and it will be better than it's ever been.

585991001[/snapback]

Apples to oranges.

The MLB strike was only a half year. The NHL is a full year and no possible end in sight. Young stars are playing elsewhere. Will they come back when the league gets back? Who knows, hard to tell, as no one knows the state of the league when/if that ever happens.

The NHL was deep in financial trouble before this strike even began. To say they will be back better than ever is wishful thinking at this point

[Hills420]

I am a big hockey fan and I live in the US. I had the In-Demand package from my cable company for the last two years (prior to lockout). I had 40 games per week all season long, I watched about 6-10 per week. You could say I watched a few games during the season:) I also had three fantasy teams...

I have been so ****ed off that this last season was cancelled, I tried going to a minor league game but it was too slow for me. The college games are also boring IMO. I need Pro hockey this fall!!!

Just to point out the obvious, we should be in the final round of the playoffs or in the Stanley Cup finals at this point :(

[NEVER85]

I am a big hockey fan and I live in the US. I had the In-Demand package from my cable company for the last two years (prior to lockout). I had 40 games per week all season long, I watched about 6-10 per week. You could say I watched a few games during the season:) I also had three fantasy teams...

I have been so ****ed off that this last season was cancelled, I tried going to a minor league game but it was too slow for me. The college games are also boring IMO. I need Pro hockey this fall!!!

Just to point out the obvious, we should be in the final round of the playoffs or in the Stanley Cup finals at this point :(

585992002[/snapback]

Indeed, and after last year's unusual Tampa Bay/Calgary final, god only knows what kind of finals we could've had this year.

[....]

I disagree that this is a dead 'sport'.  A dying 'league' maybe, but hardly a dead sport.

585991049[/snapback]

Of course, you are correct....my apologies for being too nearsighted, and just thinking about the NHL. :)

[Boffa Jones Veteran]

I hope it gets solved this year and at least 5 teams are dropped, hopefully more. I would also like to see bettman fired along with the union guy.

[Ji@nBing]

I hope it gets solved this year and at least 5 teams are dropped, hopefully more. I would also like to see bettman fired along with the union guy.

586027257[/snapback]

Yeah, I totally agree. And as long as we keep our teams that we have in Canada, I really don't care what ones it is.