ESPN, the multinational basic cable sports channel, and National Hockey League (NHL) have signed a seven-year US broadcast deal which will hand advantage to Disney’s portfolio of linear and digital platforms.
As per reports, the deal is worth more than US$400 million per year and will start from the 2021/22 season.
It will expires at the end of the 2027/28 campaign.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said that an announcement on the development can be expected in the coming weeks.
“The capabilities that ESPN demonstrates in the way that they cover and promote sports will help to continue to grow [ice-hockey] and that was an attractive element of doing the package. [Disney’s] reach, particularly with young people, will continue our growth,” Bettman said.
Meanwhile, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro added: “The idea is to make the league more accessible to core, existing fans and at the same time to leverage our platforms – including studio – to grow the game.”