[Chris]

The league announced the two-year, revenue-sharing agreement Wednesday. NBC also has a two-year option for 2006-07 and 2007-08 should it choose to exercise it.

``We're thrilled to be entering into a partnership with the NHL,'' **** Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics, said in a statement. ``We're acquiring a major, established sport that is rich in tradition - and we're doing it in a way which fits our strong historical commitment to financially sound deals which offer significant upside for both parties.''


The NHL's five-year, $600-million US deal with ABC/ESPN expires at the end of these playoffs. The league is still trying to negotiate a U.S. cable deal with ESPN.

Under the deal with NBC, the league will not receive the kindof upfront fees that are common in most network television contracts. Instead, the NHL and NBC will share revenue, with the network covering its production and distribution costs.

If next year's NHL season is cancelled because of labour issues, the deal would begin in 2005-06.


NBC, beginning in January 2005, will televise seven regular-season games and six Stanley Cup playoff games in regular Saturday afternoon time slots. In addition, NBC will broadcast Games 3-7 of the Stanley Cup final.

``NBC is renowned for innovative programming and unique promotion of its sports properties,'' NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. ``From the days of our Game of the Week in the `70s and onward, through our relationship at the Olympics, NBC has demonstrated an understanding of hockey and the commitment to the promotion of the game and its stars.
``We're delighted to be in a partnership with NBC.''

The deal, subject to NHL board approval, represents a homecoming of sorts for the NHL, whose first U.S. broadcast network contract was with NBC in 1966 to air Stanley Cup playoff games. NBC's NHL heritage also includes the Peter Puck era from 1972-73 through 1974-75 and NHL all-star game telecasts from 1991 to '94.

[Andy]

Thank the gods!! NO MORE THORNE!!!

[Jlg-28]

I wonder who will do Play by Play , good move thou

[Travis]

Their Olympic coverage was good...hopefully their NHL coverage will be as well.

[Chris]

I don't see what everyone's problem is with ABC/ESPN. In my opinion, it's just as good as FOX,etc. The ABC cameras were great too.

[Andy]

Originally posted by Chris342
I don't see what everyone's problem is with ABC/ESPN. In my opinion, it's just as good as FOX,etc. The ABC cameras were great too.

I've always liked Thorne till this series.

[Travis]

Welp...thats just the network TV contract. ESPN still has the cable contract. This means no games on ABC, but games on ESPN because of this:

ESPN, NHL renew TV deal

NEW YORK -- The National Hockey League and ESPN, Inc. have reached a wide-ranging, multimedia extension of their agreement, highlighted by ESPN's exclusive coverage of the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals and of the All-Star Game. Other elements of the deal include extensive post-season coverage with continued ESPN and ESPN2 exclusivity during the Conference Finals and an additional exclusivity from each Conference Semifinal series (total of two games per series). The agreement covers the 2004 - 2005 season and includes options for ESPN to extend the agreement to the 2005 - 2006 and 2006 - 2007 seasons as well.

ESPN2 will televise 40 fully exclusive regular-season games, on a consistent Sunday and Wednesday schedule. Rights for ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes, ESPN International, ESPN.com, ESPN Classic, ESPN Video-on-Demand, ESPN Broadband and ESPN Wireless have also been secured. The promotional content and sharing agreement with NHL.com will continue. ESPN and the NHL will continue to collaborate on Interactive TV.
"For many years, the NHL has been an important programming element for ESPN and we are thrilled to continue the relationship," said George Bodenheimer, President ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports. "The increased exclusivity and addition of the All-Star Game will enhance the already outstanding coverage we provide for our fans and the value we deliver to our affiliates and advertisers."

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, "ESPN has been, is now and will continue to be the definitive cable sports viewing destination, and our partnership with ESPN has been an extremely productive one. We are very pleased that the partnership will continue to be one of growth and we greatly appreciate all of ESPN's efforts and support on our behalf."
Specifics of the agreement include:

• Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals exclusively on ESPN;
• Exclusive coverage of the All-Star Game and All-Star
  Weekend activities;
• Continued exclusive Conference Finals telecasts;
• Additional exclusivities from each Conference Semifinal series;
• Extensive Conference Quarterfinal and Semifinal coverage;
• 40 exclusive regular-season games on ESPN2 - 23 on Wednesdays, beginning Opening Night, and 17 on Sundays;
• Coverage of the NHL Draft on ESPN2;
• Continued agreements for ESPN.com and ESPN International;
• Select telecasts on ESPN HD and ESPN Deportes;
• Rights for ESPN Classic, ESPN Video-on-Demand, ESPN Broadband, ESPN Wireless.

The agreement is subject to the approval of the NHL's Board of Governors.

[FlyersFan900]

Originally posted by MiniMe7219
[*]Coverage of the NHL Draft on ESPN2

Nice

[Andy]

Originally posted by FlyersFan900
Nice

Sweetness.