NHL Versus Extend Contract
According to Yahoo Sports Canada, the NHL and the television station Versus, have extended their contract for 3 more years through the 2010-11 season.
Terms of the deal have yet to be released but it is believed it’ll be worth more than the last 3 years of the previous contract, which paid the NHL $65 million in 2005-06, $70 million in 2006-07 and $72.5 million this season, an option year in the original contract.
Ratings are up this season for games televised on Versus. Through 29 televised games this season, ratings are up 34% from 195 666 to 261 760. Versus is set to broadcast 28 more NHL regular season games for a total of 57 for the 2007-08 regular season.
I guess this ends all the rumors of the NHL trying to get back with ESPN, which had been reported by The Hot Stove back in November. But, who knows, maybe hockey will be broadcasted on both Versus and ESPN next year, however I believe that is highly unlikely. I believe that unless Versus broadcasts more than 57 games a season, the NHL would have been better off going to ESPN again.
Here’s the link to the Yahoo article: