Breaking News: Someone Thaw Out Barry Melrose.....Hockey's Coming Back To ESPN (Maybe)!

Written by Brian Powell on 30 July 2007.

The NHL is in discussion with ESPN to bring Hockey back to the network for the 2008-2009 season. The league apparently approached the Leader to take over for NBC's 9 game schedule. There is one major setback though....Versus.

Versus holds cable exclusivity to all of the NHL’s games through 2011 and is paying the league a rights fee "in excess of $70[M] annually.” Sources indicated that the net would be “willing to waive that clause, but only if it gets something in return -- either a lower rights fee, a stronger schedule or a deal extension.”

Here's to Hockey being back on SportsCenter!