The NHL has secured a 12-year, $7.7 billion U.S. media rights deal with Rogers Communications in Canada, according to a source familiar with the agreement. This deal has not been officially announced yet.
This new contract boosts the league’s revenue as the salary cap continues to rise. It surpasses the previous 12-year deal signed in 2013, which was valued at $5.2 billion CAD.
In the U.S., the NHL signed a $4.5 billion, seven-year deal with ESPN and Turner Sports in 2021 for TV and streaming rights.
While this new deal strengthens the NHL’s financial outlook, concerns remain about the impact of the Canadian economy, particularly the fluctuating value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed these concerns during the general managers’ spring meeting in March, noting that economic shifts could affect Canadian clubs and hockey-related revenue. However, he remains hopeful that the current economic situation is temporary and not politically driven.
In recent years, the NHL’s revenue growth has been fueled not just by media deals but also by jersey and helmet advertising, dasherboard ads, and other marketing strategies.
