Really i dont understand why this is a big deal. If ESPN wants the NHL again after the OLN contract is up they'll get it regardless of the MLS contract. ESPN wanted a NBC deal and who could blame them after coming off a yearl long lockout? They probably got tired of hearing how the game was gonna open up and increase scoring and were waiting to actually see if the the NHL was finally gonna be true to their word. And so what if they poke fun at the NHL? They poked fun at NASCAR and soon will be showing NASCAR on ESPN. It's a money business, if people are willing to watch it they'll provide a way to show it. I do hope ESPN shows interest in the NHL cause it's just gonna mean more money for the NHL. Cause you'll have two networks bidding for the TV rights instead of just one.
The reason the NHL was bounced and subverted to OLN/Versus is ESPN/ABC also acquired the national rights to the NBA AND believe why would 2 pro sports leagues playing in the same contractual season go head to head hence why the NHL ended up being subletted to ESPN2.
As for NASCAR along w/ Spike(TNN), they had a successful relationship w/ ESPN PRIOR to the Fox/NBC/Turner CONTRACT and Turner Interactive has been operating their website so that is mutually beneficial. NASCAR negotiates their own TV deal, they weren't "laughed" at by ESPN, OTHERWISE NASCAR wouldn't return to ESPN NEXT YEAR, would THEY?
BTW, it was recently announced that ABC Sports will be disappearing as a brand and all programming sports-wise will be branded "ESPN on ABC" beginning in 2007.
ABC/ESPN still has rights to air other motorsports, they have had the Indy Car and the NHRA series, they are just adding NASCAR WHERE IT PROBABLY should've been all along.
ESPN has had Baseball too for years and acquired Monday Night Football in addition to the College.
