ESPN said it has stopped negotiations with the NHL and that the sport isn't worth half of the $60 million rights fee the cable network agreed to pay last October, even if a new labor contract is reached and play resumes in October. The N.H.L. is without a national cable television partner for the first time since the late 1970's. The league has received $600 million over five years under it's contract with ESPN and ABC. If the strike does end, ESPN has stated it may renegotiate the contract but for a modest fee.
Well just another shot in the foot for the N.H.L. I never missed it last year but it is having an effect on junior hockey. They haven't even paid draft fee's to the junior teams from last year. My concern is the draft money. Small market teams depend on this money and without it have to try harder to stay afloat. Time for Goodenough and Bettman to step down as the hate they have for each other is hurting all hockey. I can't see the N.H.L. going this year either by all accounts being reported. The power struggle between these two is stupid.
Scout