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NHL broadcasts to move from NBC to TNT?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 26, 2021 1:33 PM ET

The NHL and NBA are reportedly set to be television neighbors across multiple networks.

Back in March, reports surfaced that the NHL will return to ESPN via a new seven-year agreement, as the current NBC Sports Network will shut down by the end of 2021. Sports Business Journal now reports NBC has pulled out of negotiations with the NHL, and TSN's Bob McKenzie adds that Turner Sports (TNT) is the favorite to acquire the hockey league's new secondary media deal.

As someone who has been a proud member of @NHLonNBCSports for years now, my heart goes out to all my colleagues there. So many great people. First class. Having been thru “losing the rights” (2x actually) at TSN, it’s a difficult process that can impact lives in a very big way.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) April 26, 2021

It was reported that the NHL wanted to split its new broadcast contracts across multiple networks, and Fox was viewed as a likely home because it could air hockey games on channels such as FS1 and FS2 on weeknights. NBC, meanwhile, was expected to shift hockey from what will become the defunct NBCSN to USA Network before Monday's development.

NBC and NBC Sports have aired NHL regular-season and playoff games since the 2005-06 campaign.

While TNT has a relationship with the NBA, the network does not air midweek college football and basketball games as do ESPN and Fox. Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley was allegedly once coveted for "Monday Night Football" spots, and it's unknown if the NHL will look to utilize the entertaining and outspoken "NBA on TNT" personality on its new cable home.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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