Fri Sep 20 11:03:18 UTC 2024: ## Amazon poised to become NHL’s new broadcast king as Rogers takes control of MLSE

**Toronto, Canada -** Amazon is set to become a major player in the NHL broadcasting landscape, with experts predicting the tech giant will win the national broadcast rights when Rogers’ current deal expires in 2026. This comes after Rogers announced its intention to buy Bell’s stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), giving them majority control of the sports conglomerate.

The acquisition, valued at $4.7 billion, positions Rogers as the dominant force in Canadian sports media, but it also opens the door for Amazon to swoop in and claim the coveted NHL rights.

“The big winner was Amazon,” said Brock University sports management professor Mike Naraine. “The deal makes them a strong favourite to secure the NHL broadcast rights.”

Amazon has already dipped its toe into NHL broadcasting with Prime Monday Night Hockey, which will stream all national regular-season Monday night games for the next two seasons. This move, combined with their existing NFL and NBA deals, demonstrates their growing ambition in the sports media market.

The timing is ideal for Amazon, an over-the-top (OTT) platform, to make a major play for the NHL rights, according to Naraine. He believes they have the financial muscle to outbid traditional broadcasters like Rogers and TSN.

While Rogers emerges as the clear winner in the MLSE acquisition, analysts believe the company might be hesitant to spend another hefty sum on the NHL rights, especially after the significant investment in MLSE.

“There is a very small chance that Rogers blows another $6 billion-plus dollars to get hockey rights on top of the $4.7 billion they just spent,” said Naraine.

The next few years will be pivotal for the NHL’s broadcasting landscape, with the future of the game potentially shifting towards streaming giants like Amazon. While traditional broadcasters may still have a place in the mix, the writing seems to be on the wall for a new era of sports media.

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