New NHL-NBC Agreement

[Sean Smyth]

Mike G. writes:
> I'm kind of surprised with the uncertainty of there being a 
> NHL hockey 
> season next year that any of the major networks would want to 
> touch hockey 
> with a 100 foot pole but now that NBC is going to be 
> televising the NHL that 
> Bob Neueier's days at WEEI are numbered considering his vast 
> experience 
> covering both the Boston Bruins and Hartford Whalers ???
> 
> http://www.boston.com/dailynews/140/sports/NHL_agrees_to_two_y
ear_deal_wi:.shtml

>From the way I understand it (I haven't read this link), it's going to be a
pure revenue sharing agreement between NBC and the NHL, similar to NBC's
Arena Football contract.

What do they have to lose on this? Nothing.

And ESPN is locking in the league for bargain-basement dollars, so you can't
really fault them for going with this, either.

The losers here: the NHL and 30 teams (where if you believe the league
offices 20 of those teams are about to go file Chapter 11 any day).