No, but it was also bidding on half of what the previous deal was in terms of content. I’m sure there was some resentment with the NHL splitting the rights.
Yup. Previous deal NBC was paying an average of $200m a season. Their offer was half that ($100m) and was seen as a token offer, as in no hard feelings and giving the perception of bidding, instead of just saying they were done with the NHL. As a favor to the league, while making an offer that obviously wasn't going to get the "B" package.
The WWE night change, all the media 'insiders', especially the wrestling ones said that had nothing to do with the NHL.
The other things:
- NHL let ESPN put together the "A" package so essentially they structured what the A/B packages would be.
- As said, NBC was bidding on half of the rights they previously had. So being asked for the same $200m a season -which they were already paying for the full package- for half the playoffs and 3 SCF in 7 years probably didn't make a whole lot of sense, to them. Understandably.
- Premier League rights were ending the following season. So paying the same (or even more since it ended up over $200m) for half of what they already had verse putting that $ towards keeping the full Premier League rights/package.
