NHL, Rogers announce 12-year nationwide rights media deal

TORONTO, ON – Rogers Communications and the Nationwide Hockey League (NHL) at present introduced a 12-year settlement for the nationwide media rights to NHL video games on all platforms in Canada by way of the 2037-38 season. The $11 billion CDN settlement begins in 2026-27 following the conclusion of the present landmark 12-year deal, extending the strategic partnership to over twenty years.

“The NHL has been a terrific associate for over a decade, and we’re proud to proceed our partnership and convey extra nice fan experiences and best-in-class broadcasts to Canadians,” stated Tony Staffieri, President and CEO, Rogers. “Hockey is Canada’s recreation and we’re proud to be the house of hockey. “Sports activities are core to our firm, and these rights are essentially the most worthwhile sports activities rights in Canada.”

“For greater than a decade, Rogers has carried out an unimaginable job of conveying what NHL hockey, our gamers and our groups imply to hockey followers and their communities from coast to coast to coast,” stated NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “We’re thrilled to proceed our landmark partnership for a further 12 years. The NHL and Rogers have a shared dedication to finest serving Canadian followers and the unequalled ardour that they’ve for our recreation, and we’re notably excited that by way of this settlement, we’ll convey extra dwell video games to extra followers throughout Canada.”

Underneath the brand new settlement, followers could have entry to extra dwell nationwide video games than ever earlier than and fewer regional blackouts. Different highlights embrace:

Nationwide rights throughout all platforms, together with TV, digital, and streaming, for all nationwide common season video games, in all languages.
Nationwide rights to all playoff video games, the Stanley Cup Remaining and all particular occasions, and tentpole occasions, in all languages.
Out-of-market rights for all regional video games.
The unique class sponsor for the NHL and all NHL tentpole occasions held in Canada.

The settlement permits for the potential for strategic sub-licensing for a subset of those rights, together with nationwide French-language and a single-night unique nationwide bundle.

“Hockey is a part of the material of Canadian tradition and our long-term relationship with the NHL helped make Sportsnet Canada’s #1 sports activities media model,” stated Colette Watson, President, Rogers Sports activities & Media. “Canadians overwhelmingly select Sportsnet, and we’re investing on this partnership, so followers have entry to extra video games, extra content material and extra selection from their favorite groups throughout the league.”

This settlement is predicted to be accretive to Rogers shareholders and proceed to drive profitability for Rogers Sports activities & Media from the outset. The monetary phrases are comprised of escalating annual funds that can complete $11 billion paid to the NHL over the 12-year time period.