Zero
08-18-2005, 11:40 AM
NHL gets TV deal . . . on Outdoor Life Network
Post-Dispatch News Services
Thursday, Aug. 18 2005
NHL games will air on Outdoor Life Network for at least the next two seasons.
The league finalized a two-year deal with Comcast Corp. -- the owner of OLN --
late Wednesday night after ESPN declined to match the agreement that will pay
the NHL $65 million this season and $70 million in 2006-07.
The agreement between Comcast and the NHL was approved by the league’s board of
governors last week. ESPN, which resumed regular broadcast of NHL games in
1992, had until Wednesday night to match the contract but decided to pass.
The new deal can be extended up to six years. For the 2007-08 season, Comcast
would pay the NHL $72.5 million, but that number could go higher based on
contingencies.
OLN, best known for providing live coverage of the Tour de France, will show
between 58 and 78 regular-season games, as well as conference quarterfinals and
the entire conference finals, with the exception of some weekend windows that
could move games to NBC in both playoff rounds.
Coyotes: Curtis Joseph signed a one-year contract with Phoenix, guaranteeing
competition for the No. 1 goalie spot on a team that was weak in the net
until a few weeks ago.
Brian Boucher, who set a modern NHL mark with five consecutive shutouts for the
Coyotes in the 2003-04 season, didn’t sign until Aug. 2.
Joseph, 38, who started his career with the Blues, is ninth on the NHL career
list in wins. He went 16-10-3 in 31 games with Detroit in 2003-04 but had
to play behind Dominik Hasek after injuring an ankle.
But Hasek was hurt before the 2004 playoffs, and Joseph had a sensational,
nine-game run, allowing just 12 goals in nine games to establish personal
postseason lows with a 1.39 GAA and .939 save percentage.
Oilers: Edmonton will retire the No. 7 uniform of Hall of Famer Paul Coffey.
Predators: Steve Sullivan signed a long-term deal.
Panthers: Florida signed veteran center Jozef Stumpel to a two-year contract.
Post-Dispatch News Services
Thursday, Aug. 18 2005
NHL games will air on Outdoor Life Network for at least the next two seasons.
The league finalized a two-year deal with Comcast Corp. -- the owner of OLN --
late Wednesday night after ESPN declined to match the agreement that will pay
the NHL $65 million this season and $70 million in 2006-07.
The agreement between Comcast and the NHL was approved by the league’s board of
governors last week. ESPN, which resumed regular broadcast of NHL games in
1992, had until Wednesday night to match the contract but decided to pass.
The new deal can be extended up to six years. For the 2007-08 season, Comcast
would pay the NHL $72.5 million, but that number could go higher based on
contingencies.
OLN, best known for providing live coverage of the Tour de France, will show
between 58 and 78 regular-season games, as well as conference quarterfinals and
the entire conference finals, with the exception of some weekend windows that
could move games to NBC in both playoff rounds.
Coyotes: Curtis Joseph signed a one-year contract with Phoenix, guaranteeing
competition for the No. 1 goalie spot on a team that was weak in the net
until a few weeks ago.
Brian Boucher, who set a modern NHL mark with five consecutive shutouts for the
Coyotes in the 2003-04 season, didn’t sign until Aug. 2.
Joseph, 38, who started his career with the Blues, is ninth on the NHL career
list in wins. He went 16-10-3 in 31 games with Detroit in 2003-04 but had
to play behind Dominik Hasek after injuring an ankle.
But Hasek was hurt before the 2004 playoffs, and Joseph had a sensational,
nine-game run, allowing just 12 goals in nine games to establish personal
postseason lows with a 1.39 GAA and .939 save percentage.
Oilers: Edmonton will retire the No. 7 uniform of Hall of Famer Paul Coffey.
Predators: Steve Sullivan signed a long-term deal.
Panthers: Florida signed veteran center Jozef Stumpel to a two-year contract.