Bad News for Gary Bettman and the NHL
In recent weeks, the NHL has faced significant challenges with its broadcast partners, leading to concerns about the league's future. Despite NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's claims that the league is in its healthiest state ever, the news has been far from positive.
The NHL lose major partner
Recently, Warner Bros. Discovery, the owner of three regional sports networks that broadcast NHL games, announced that it would be ceasing operations and withdrawing from the business. This news has added to the already busy schedules of the marketing teams of the Seattle Kraken, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Vegas Golden Knights.
The three regional sports networks were acquired by Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. in its acquisition of control over WarnerMedia assets from AT&T Inc. Teams were informed via a letter on Friday that the company would not have enough cash to pay upcoming rights fees due to teams by the end of March. If no agreement is reached, the networks may seek chapter 7 bankruptcy litigation.
The NHL has responded by releasing a statement indicating that it is closely monitoring the situation with regional sports networks and is committed to finding a solution to grant fans access to games. However, this announcement comes after news that Bally Sports will also be exiting the network business in the next month, which could leave up to 11 teams without regional TV deals.
The NHL has seen a decline in viewership numbers over the last few seasons, and the loss of these major broadcast partners is a significant blow to the league. However, it also presents an opportunity for innovation and adaptation in a constantly evolving media landscape. Despite the challenges, the NHL and its teams are determined to find new ways to connect with fans and distribute content.
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