Overview
- On Friday industry reports said the NHL will ask for a 50% to 100% increase in its national media rights when formal negotiations open on Jan. 1.
- Preliminary conversations this month show mutual interest from incumbent partners Disney/ESPN and Skydance in renewing rights deals, though pricing is still unresolved.
- Skydance executives have publicly flagged a disciplined approach and are said to be prioritizing debt reduction and saving capacity for a future NFL bid, which could limit how much it will pay for NHL rights.
- The league’s push is grounded in recent audience gains — playoffs averaging about 1.8 million viewers, the Stanley Cup averaging roughly 5.2 million, and the U.S.–Canada Olympic gold‑medal game drawing about 26 million — and new tentpole events such as the 4 Nations Face‑Off.
- Broadcasters and streamers are weighing alternative packages, with Netflix floated for marquee events and Amazon for a weekly slate, and the final deal will likely influence how other non‑NFL sports sell and price national rights.