GaryMrMets
05-31-2005, 01:01 PM
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/sports/s052905q.htm
ESPN will not pick up option to televise NHL
Sunday, May 29, 2005
ESPN will not pick up a $60-million option to retain NHL broadcasting rights for next season, the network said Saturday.
ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said the network would have further comment next week. The option deadline is Wednesday.
The decision was first reported by the Los Angeles Times and Rogers Sportsnet in Canada.
While ESPN will not pick up the option on the deal it agreed to in May 2004, the longtime NHL broadcaster could try to retain the rights for less money.
The NHL, in negotiations with the players' association to end the lockout that wiped out all of last season, has a two-year deal with NBC to televise games when play resumes.
•Also, Celtic won its 33rd Scottish Cup on Saturday, beating Dundee United 1-0 and giving departing manager Martin O'Neill a final trophy. . . . Paolo Savoldelli closed in on his second Giro d'Italia title Saturday, leading Gilberto Simoni by 28 seconds with one stage left in the most important cycling race after the Tour de France. . . . Columbus Crew goalkeeper Jon Busch will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his right knee. . . . Baylor freshman Zuzana Zemenova rallied to beat Northwestern freshman Audra Cohen 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the NCAA women's tennis final. - Associated Press
ESPN will not pick up option to televise NHL
Sunday, May 29, 2005
ESPN will not pick up a $60-million option to retain NHL broadcasting rights for next season, the network said Saturday.
ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said the network would have further comment next week. The option deadline is Wednesday.
The decision was first reported by the Los Angeles Times and Rogers Sportsnet in Canada.
While ESPN will not pick up the option on the deal it agreed to in May 2004, the longtime NHL broadcaster could try to retain the rights for less money.
The NHL, in negotiations with the players' association to end the lockout that wiped out all of last season, has a two-year deal with NBC to televise games when play resumes.
•Also, Celtic won its 33rd Scottish Cup on Saturday, beating Dundee United 1-0 and giving departing manager Martin O'Neill a final trophy. . . . Paolo Savoldelli closed in on his second Giro d'Italia title Saturday, leading Gilberto Simoni by 28 seconds with one stage left in the most important cycling race after the Tour de France. . . . Columbus Crew goalkeeper Jon Busch will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ligament in his right knee. . . . Baylor freshman Zuzana Zemenova rallied to beat Northwestern freshman Audra Cohen 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the NCAA women's tennis final. - Associated Press