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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman believes the league’s media business remains on solid footing in both the United States and Canada, even as the broader sports broadcasting marketplace continues to shift.
During an appearance on CNBC, Bettman said the league is benefiting from strong demand for live sports, stable partnerships, and a product that he insists is performing at its highest level in years.
In Canada, Bettman said the league’s media ecosystem is significantly healthier. He noted it is in better shape than the regional sports network landscape in the United States. He pointed to the league’s newly completed national rights agreement as evidence of long-term strength north of the border.
“The regional sports networks are healthier in Canada than they are in the U.S. at this point. We had just done last spring a new national deal in Canada,” Bettman said. He said the league is coming off a 12-year agreement with Rogers Sports & Media. That deal had been the largest media agreement in Canadian history. He added that the new deal is about two and a half times larger than the previous deal. Which shows the value of premium live sports in a fragmented media environment.
Meanwhile, Bettman expressed confidence in the NHL’s U.S. rights partners. He also said the league can maintain momentum as consumption habits continue to change. The league is in the middle of its seven-year agreements with ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery, and Bettman said the NHL is encouraged by how those partnerships have unfolded.
“We have great deals in place in the U.S. right now with Walt Disney Company, principally ESPN, but with coverage on ABC,” he said.
Bettman acknowledged uncertainty around the future of Warner Bros. Discovery but suggested the league is prepared for any scenario, saying, “We’ll see how that all sorts out if a sale takes place. But we remain bullish, optimistic about our future prospects, because the product, what’s taking place on the ice right now, is incredible.”
Beyond the media landscape, Bettman said the NHL’s overall health is strong. He emphasized it remains as strong as ever. From franchise valuations to competitive balance, he said the league continues to trend upward.
“The league has never been more competitive,” Bettman said. “Our franchises have never been healthier, and I think that’s reflected with the trending in increased valuations over the last three years.”
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