Ducks, Fox Sports Prime Ticket announce ‘long-term’ extension

The Ducks announced a long-term extension with Fox Sports Prime Ticket on Monday, a deal that will keep the team aligned with it original broadcast home for “the foreseeable future,” a team executive said.

“This is a great day for the Ducks organization and our fans,” Ducks Chief Executive Michael Schulman said in a statement released by the team. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Prime Ticket and bring Ducks hockey into Southern California homes.”

The extension is for 10 years, according to a hockey official not authorized to discuss the deal publicly.

The team and Fox had agreed to a broadcast deal for this season without coming to terms on the extension. Seventy-five of the team’s 82 games in 2014-15 will be broadcast by Prime Ticket or Fox Sports West.

The Ducks won a second consecutive Pacific Division title in 2013-14, producing a franchise-record 54 victories and finishing as the Western Conference’s top seed before falling to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Kings in the conference semifinals.

The team has started 5-1 this season behind five consecutive wins by goalie Frederik Andersen and five goals by right wing Corey Perry.

“We are very pleased to extend our longstanding relationship with the Anaheim Ducks,” said Steve Simpson, Fox Sports West/Prime Ticket senior vice president and general manager. “Coming off of a record-breaking season in 2013-14, it’s an exciting time for Ducks hockey on Prime Ticket, and we are proud to deliver even more coverage to Southern California sports fans for years to come.”

Fox Sports will continue to air additional Ducks programming such as “Ducks Live,” pre- and postgame shows and the 30-minute feature program “Ducks Weekly.”

Goalie swap

Goaltender Jason LaBarbera was sent to Norfolk of the American Hockey League and goaltender John Gibson was recalled.

LaBarbera, 34, did not appear in a game for the Ducks after being promoted to the team on Oct. 15. Gibson, 21, had a record of 1-1-0 with a 3.05 goals-against average and 90.2 save percentage for Norfolk.