After the current NHL season comes to a close, TNT Sports will be under contract with the league for just two more years. But the hope, at least according to CEO Luis Silberwasser, is for the relationship to extend beyond that.
In a recent interview with Puck sports correspondent John Ourand, Silberwasser divulged that TNT Sports is “extremely interested” in keeping NHL rights beyond 2028, when the current contract expires. TNT Sports currently pays an average of $225 million per year for its NHL package, which includes the Stanley Cup Final in alternating years, one conference final each season, early-round playoff games, and regular-season games.
Silberwasser’s comments come after recent reports that the NHL is looking to take its media rights packages to market early in hopes of striking deals before the NFL takes significant money out of the market during its ongoing negotiations.
There is an interesting dynamic to these talks, however. TNT Sports will soon combine forces with CBS Sports, assuming Paramount’s recent purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery is approved. For now, Silberwasser and TNT Sports are operating as an independent company, free to do deals as they see fit.
“We have the ability to continue to do the deals we’re doing now, and to operate this company as an independent company and a separate company from Paramount,” the TNT Sports CEO told Ourand.
If anything, however, the impending merger should help TNT Sports secure a new deal with the NHL. Just last month, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman characterized Paramount’s purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery as “very good” for the NHL. Under a combines TNT Sports-CBS Sports entity, the NHL could presumably earn more broadcast television exposure.
As for the timeline of negotiations, Silberwasser deferred to Bettman.
“Basically, we will do it in the timing that Gary wants. If Gary wants to engage early, great. If he wants to wait, that’s fine, too,” he said.