The NHL is returning to ESPN, the sources confirmed.
In a seven-year deal that could be announced later this week, ABC / ESPN will broadcast four Stanley Cups, according to sources.
Canada’s SportsNet reported the deal for the first time. ESPN and NHL declined to comment.
The agreement’s finances are not yet known. ESPN +, the network’s streaming service, is expected to have a significant presence in the future.
NBC Sports is in the final season of its 10-year contract, for about $ 2 billion. It had exclusive rights to the league in the United States, but the NHL set out to have several operators for its national broadcasts.
NBC could very well retain half the package and take the other three Cups. In light of the upcoming NFL deals, in which “Sunday Night Football” is expected to double to $ 2 billion a year, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said the NBC Sports parent will need to make “tough decisions. “about current relationships.
The company is closing its NBC Sports Network at the end of the year, but could use the USA Network and its subscription service, Peacock, for most games.
Fox is another candidate for the other half of the package, while CBS cannot be entirely ruled out.