NHL Signs a Five-Year TV Contract

The NHL and ESPN signed a five-year contract that includes a game of the week and extensive playoff coverage, interim league President Gil Stein announced Wednesday as professional hockey returned to the network after a four-year absence.

Stein offered few details beyond the game of the week and playoff exposure, and said that ABC, CBS or NBC may become involved at a later date.

Speculation is that the contract is worth $80 million, or $16 million per season. The NHL got $5.5 million last season from SportsChannel America after getting $17 million for the 1989-91 season. There is also speculation that ABC, which owns ESPN, might televise four to six games per season.

Also, the Kings announced that Channel 5 will televise 10 of their regular-season games, with Prime Ticket televising 70.