NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — The National Hockey League and NBC Universal agreed to a landmark 10-year broadcast deal Tuesday that will dramatically increase the NHL’s exposure and value.
The new deal is reportedly worth $2 billion. That’s roughly $125 million a year more than reported sums under the previous NHL deal with Versus — and a timely boost for a league whose teams in smaller or nontraditional markets are struggling.
The agreement is also the first major sports deal struck by NBCU since it was acquired by Comcast Corp. /quotes/comstock/15*!cmcsa/quotes/nls/cmcsa CMCSA +1.67% in late January. Media reports and comments Tuesday from NBC’s sports chief suggest more deals, and a rebranding of Versus, are on their way.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol announce 10-year deal Tuesday in New York.
Getty ImagesBeginning next season, NBCU will broadcast 100 regular-season hockey games across its channels, which now include Versus, and will for the first time nationally broadcast all NHL playoff games.
NHL reach 10-year broadcast deal SportsWatch
via marketwatch.com
