The Walt Disney Company and NHL Reach a Seven-Year Agreement

It’s now official, The Walt Disney Company, ESPN, and the National Hockey League have reached a seven-year television, streaming, and media rights deal that goes through the 2027-28 season.

Photo: NHL.com

What’s Happening:

Last night, rumors started to appear saying that The Walt Disney Company and NHL had reached a seven-year agreement for media rights. The deal has is now official with the announcement made by both companies.
The deal includes television, streaming, and media rights from the beginning of the 2021-22 season through the 2027-28 season.

NHL Deal Details:

It includes exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals on ABC in four of the seven years, with the ability to simulcast on ESPN+ and other ESPN networks.
ABC/ESPN will have 25 exclusive national regular-season games, 75 national regular-season games will be produced by ESPN and stream exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu.
Half of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be on ABC and ESPN each season.
Annual coverage of NHL’s Face-off (opening night games), the NHL All-Star Game and Skills Challenge, plus other NHL special events each season.
The NHL’s out-of-market streaming package, with more than 1,000 games (formerly on NHL.TV), will now be available for fans to stream only as part of an ESPN+ subscription.
International media rights – including in Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of Europe – are also part of the agreement.

What They’re Saying:

Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner: “This partnership of the world’s top hockey league and the platforms of The Walt Disney Company is a big win for our fans and our game. Not only will this groundbreaking, seven-year deal enable the NHL to benefit from the incomparable power, reach and influence of The Walt Disney Company and ABC/ESPN, it sets a new standard in delivering our game to the most passionate and tech-savvy fans in sports in the ways they now demand and on the platforms they use.”
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN and Sports Content: “This agreement clearly underscores The Walt Disney Company’s leadership in the sports media landscape and serves as a blueprint for sports deals in the future. We know the power of the NHL and are thrilled to welcome it back as a significant new pillar across our platforms, and we look forward to connecting more deeply and directly with some of the sports world’s most passionate fans.”
Kareem Daniel, Chairman, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution: “This is the kind of innovative deal that only The Walt Disney Company and our portfolio of media platforms and businesses can bring to life. The combination of streaming leadership with ESPN+ and Hulu, along with our powerhouse ABC and ESPN networks, will bring the NHL into the homes and lives of millions of passionate fans – and help create new ones. It’s a hat trick that delivers incredible value to our partner, our business and consumers.”