New York, NY (Sportsbooks) - The National Hockey League and NBC Sports announced a partnership on Wednesday in which NBC will televise NHL contests beginning with the 2004-05 campaign. The two-year deal may be renewed for an additional two years at NBC's option. The joint announcement was made by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. The revenue-sharing agreement calls for NBC to televise seven regular-season games beginning in January and six Stanley Cup playoff contests in regular Saturday afternoon time slots. In addition, NBC, which replaces ABC as the league's broadcast partner, will broadcast Games 3 through 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in primetime. "We're thrilled to be entering into a partnership with the NHL," Ebersol said. "We're acquiring a major, established sport that is rich in tradition - and we're doing it in a way which fits our strong historical commitment to financially sound deals which offer significant upside for both parties." The partnership is subject to NHL board approval. It marks a return to the NHL for NBC, which entered into the first broadcast network contract with the league in 1966 to carry Stanley Cup playoff games. NBC's NHL coverage also included the "Peter Puck" era from 1972-73 through 1974-75 and NHL All-Star Game telecasts from 1991-94. "NBC is renowned for innovative programming and unique promotion of its sports properties," said Bettman. "From the days of our Game of the Week in the '70s and onward, through our relationship at the Olympics, NBC has demonstrated an understanding of hockey and the commitment to the promotion of the game and its stars. We're delighted to be in a partnership with NBC." |
