The National Hockey League and Canadian telecommunications giant Rogers have agreed to a new 12-year national broadcasting deal worth $7.7 billion that will begin in 2026, according to multiple reports Monday.
Rogers declined comment when contacted by The Athletic.
Sportico first reported the story Monday, and the Associated Press confirmed it, citing “a person familiar with the deal.”
The new agreement will come at the conclusion of the previous 12-year deal agreed to by both parties, which was signed in 2013 for $5.2 billion Canadian. The deal is expected to allow Rogers to sell some games to other networks like Amazon Prime, which is broadcasting games on Monday nights in Canada through 2026.
Last June, Amazon declined comment when asked if Amazon Prime Monday games would be a gateway to getting more games once Rogers’ current deal expires next year.
The NHL also has broadcasting deals with ESPN and TNT in the United States. Both channels and the NHL agreed to a seven-year contract worth $4.5 billion in 2021.
Canadian NHL teams will continue to have regional deals with either Sportsnet or TSN to broadcast their games. The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames both agreed to 11-year broadcasting deals with Sportsnet in 2024. The Vancouver Canucks’ current deal with Rogers expires in 2033. Bell recently acquired content rights for the Toronto Maple Leafs last September in a 20-year deal. The Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators each have broadcasting deals with Bell and TSN that run through 2026.
Rogers also owns a 37.5 percent stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the conglomerate that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as the NBA’s Raptors, among other teams and real estate.
In September, Rogers announced plans to buy an additional 37.5 percent share in MLSE from telecommunications rival Bell. That deal is expected to close later this year.
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