ESPN Wants Revenue-Sharing Deal For NHL Broadcast Rights

(From Sports Business Daily)

The NHL and NHLPA announced yesterday that they have reached agreement in principle on a new CBA after a 301-day lockout, but ESPN, which decided in May NOT to pick up its broadcast option on the NHL, "is interested only in a revenue-sharing deal" with the league, according to KULFAN AND NIYO of THE DETROIT NEWS.

NBC has such a deal, paying no rights fee and sharing advertising profits, with the NHL. However, the league has indicated that it is "not interested in such an arrangement with A CABLE NETWORK."

ESPN Vice President/Communications MIKE SOLTYS said that the net is "only interested in a new deal 'that would have us both equally sharing any risk.'"

But SPIKE TV executives said that they have "met with the NHL several times and are interested."

THE USA TODAY's MICHAEL McCARTHY reports that the league "will make a strong push to telecast as many games as possible" in HD.

THE BONHAM GROUP Chair DEAN BONHAM said, "High-definition TV benefits hockey more than any other sport, bar none."

THE USA TODAY'S MICHAEL HIESTAND adds the NHL also is "looking at mikes on players and in-game interviews with coaches to bring fans closer to the action."