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Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
I don't think that will be an issue as Bettman won't be around next negotiations and I have a feeling once this 12 year deal is complete that the NHL will be happy to have another broadcaster handling their product. It appears the league wanted to show TSN who was the boss even if it meant handing over their broadcasting rights to a 3rd rate company with open wallets and empty promises. We are talking about a league that in the past has sold their broadcasting rights to OLN so it's not really a surprise that ego is behind this decision.
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I don't think the NHL had much choice but to go to OLN. The NHL still holds a grudge against ESPN (who owns 20% of TSN). ESPN basically gave them a lousy Hobson's Choice take-it-or-leave-it option after a year-long lockout. If ESPN wasn't there when the NHL needed it most, that was viewed as disrespectful. It's because of ESPN that ultimately the NHL had to embarrassingly look to OLN.
However, I don't think it's a 3rd rate company with empty promises. Rogers has a far greater reach into television, internet, mobile and other media. Far greater than BCE.
I'm very excited to see what they come up with in September.