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NHL Reaches Television Agreement With OLN

Posted on: Thursday, 18 August 2005, 12:00 CDT

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The NHL will reportedly show its games on OLN after ESPN declined to match an offer.

According to The New York Times, Comcast Corp., the owner of OLN, will broadcast games on Mondays and Tuesdays and will pay $65 million this season, and $70 million in 2006-07. There is also an option worth $72.5 million for a third season.

ESPN began airing NHL games in its first year of 1979 and continued through 1988 before Sportschannel took over. ESPN, though, then regained the cable broadcast rights again in 1992.

However, due to the recent lockout that cost the league the entire 2004-05 campaign, ESPN declined its $60 million option for the 2005-06 season.

In a statement sent to the league, George Bodenheimer, the president of ESPN and ABC Sports, said that "given the prolonged work stoppage and the league's TV ratings history, no financial model even remotely supports the contract terms offered."

The deal will allow OLN to broadcast a total of 58 to 78 regular-season games. OLN will also get numerous playoff contests as well, which include the conference quarterfinals, the entire conference finals and Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

There is the possibility, though, that some of the weekend postseason games would be shown by NBC, which also has rights to the Stanley Cup Finals following Game 2.

The New York Times also noted that one of the stipulations on OLN's deal is that Comcast must carry the NHL Network, which is currently only available in Canada on its digital sports tier.

OLN is also obligated to pay the NHL $15 million more if it exceeds 80 million subscribers. The network now has 64 million customers, which is well below ESPN's 90 million.

The NHL will be a new change for OLN, which has been known for carrying live coverage of the Tour de France, including many outdoor activities such as fishing, rodeo and bullriding.

However, OLN, which recently changed its name from the Outdoor Life Network, is trying to become a major sports power. It has been reported that Comcast is also using OLN as a possible springboard for a national sports network, and is interested in National Football League rights.

08/18 11:17:03 ET

powered by The Sports Network.

Source: The Sports Network

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