NHL Extends NBC Deal
NBC and the National Hockey League (NHL) have extended their broadcast agreement for 2008-09 seasons. NBC and NHL Network will share the revenue instead of NBC paying the league a rights fee. Gary Bettman, the league commissioner said “This is great news for the NHL and its fans. There have been positive signs for the league, both on and off the ice. Ratings were up this year, the Winter Classic in Buffalo was a huge success, advertising sales were healthy, and the product on the ice has never been better, led by young, marketable stars such as Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin” The NHL and NBC signed their original TV rights agreement for the 2004-05 through 2005-06 seasons.