In a surprise when it was first reported early last month, ESPN has won the rights from the NHL to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. It will air a minimum of 16 games, 17 if the final goes 16.
The event occurs starting in September and will last until October 1.
Traditional hockey powerhouses Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Sweden and the United States will take part and there will be two all-star teams made up of younger players from North America and Europe.
To beat out current NHL rightsholder NBC/NBCSN is a true upset, but ESPN was able to offer its radio and international platforms in Asia and Latin North countries.
Here’s the official announcement
ESPN, NHL & NHLPA Reach Agreement for 2016 World Cup
Every Game Televised Exclusively On ESPN Networks
Audio, International Rights IncludedESPN, the National Hockey League (NHL®), and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) have reached an agreement for every game of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey to be televised exclusively in the United States across ESPN networks, with most games on ESPN and ESPN2. The World Cup will take place at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre from September 17 – October 1, 2016 and will culminate with a best-of-three final. A minimum of 16 games (17 if the final goes three) will be televised.
The tournament will feature teams from the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic and Russia. Team Europe and Team North American Young Stars will round out the field.
ESPN Audio has the rights to exclusively broadcast every game in the United States and ESPN International has exclusive rights to the more than 20 countries served by its Pacific Rim and Latin North networks.
Live access to coverage on ESPN networks is also available through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via an affiliated video provider.
“We are thrilled to resume our partnership with Gary Bettman and the National Hockey League and to work closely with Gary and Don Fehr of the National Hockey League Players’ Association to make the World Cup of Hockey on ESPN a reality,” said John Skipper, ESPN President. “We look forward to presenting this compelling tournament, with national pride at stake, to fans both in the United States and internationally.”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman added, “ESPN broadcast the prior World Cup of Hockey, from Air Canada Centre. Now the World Cup is returning, with ESPN broadcasting in the U.S. We are very pleased and hope our fans will be, as well.”
“We are excited to have ESPN as our broadcast partner for what is going to be an incredible tournament featuring over 150 of the top hockey players in the world,” said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director. “ESPN’s reach and storytelling approach will expose our players’ skill and personalities, something that we know will resonate with fans as the tournament unfolds.”
The telecast schedule will be announced at a later date. ESPN last televised the World Cup of Hockey in 2004. ESPN last televised NHL games from 1992 – 2004.
That will do it.
