- The NHL is close to locking up a two year extension with NBC. The league will soon announce that NBC will televise games through the 2009-10 season, so the network can use hockey telecasts to promote the 2010 Winter Olympics. Should this deal go through, NBC will end up having aired hockey for five seasons — as many as ABC (2000-04) and FOX (1995-99).
- New York area sports fans can blame the Pope for their being shut out of playoff action. Not only will the Nuggets/Lakers NBA Playoff game on ABC be preempted by the visiting pontiff, but NBC’s Predators/Red Wings NHL Playoff game will also be bumped. While Nuggets/Lakers can be seen on ESPN2 in New York, Predators/Red Wings will be moved to WNBC 4.4.
- ESPN and The All England Club have agreed to a five year extension that will allow ESPN to televise Wimbledon through 2013. ESPN2 will televise approximately 100 hours of Wimbledon coverage each year, including one semifinal each from the men’s and ladies draw. Unlike previous deals for the Australian Open and French Open, this was not a joint deal with The Tennis Channel.
