Rogers Strikes 12-Year NHL Deal

TORONTO: Rogers Communications and the National Hockey League (NHL) have struck a landmark 12-year broadcast and multimedia agreement that covers all national rights to NHL games on all platforms in all languages.

The pact marks the largest media rights deal in the league's history. The deal also marks the first time that a premium North American-wide sports league has granted all of its national rights to one company on a long-term basis. It kicks off in the 2014-15 season and continues through the 2025-26 season.

Rogers also announced it has selected CBC and TVA for separate sub-licensing deals for English-language broadcasts of Hockey Night in Canada and all national French-language multimedia rights, respectively.

"Sports content is a key strategic asset and we've been investing significantly to strengthen our sports offering to Canadians," said Nadir Mohamed, the president and CEO of Rogers Communications. "Canadians are passionate about hockey, and through this landmark partnership with the NHL we'll be able to bring hockey fans more games and more content on their platform of choice."

"Our fans always want to explore deeper and more emotional connections to NHL hockey, and that is precisely what Rogers has promised to deliver over the next 12 years—channeling the reach of its platforms and the intensity of its passion for the game into an unparalleled viewing experience," added Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner. "The NHL is extremely excited about the power and potential of this groundbreaking partnership."