Has ESPN Disrespected the NHL After Securing Broadcast Rights?

| America’s Ice

When ESPN re-acquired the rights to broadcast NHL games in 2021, hockey fans across North America were optimistic. After years of limited exposure on cable, the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” was expected to put hockey back in the spotlight, giving the league the national recognition it deserved.

But several seasons into the deal, many fans and analysts believe ESPN has failed to deliver — and, in some ways, has disrespected the NHL.

A Deal with High Hopes

The NHL’s seven-year media rights agreement with ESPN and Turner Sports was billed as a landmark deal. For the first time in over 15 years, ESPN would once again be the home of hockey, promising prime-time broadcasts, major studio coverage, and increased visibility across all its platforms.

Fans imagined NHL highlights dominating SportsCenter, debates on First Take, and greater promotion during ESPN’s high-traffic broadcasts of football and basketball. Instead, hockey often feels like an afterthought.

Lack of Studio Coverage

One of the biggest frustrations among fans is the lack of dedicated hockey programming. While ESPN has invested heavily in NFL Live, NBA Today, and college sports shows, hockey coverage is sporadic at best.

It’s not unusual for SportsCenter to breeze through NHL highlights in under a minute — often buried behind basketball preseason chatter or NFL training camp updates. For a sport that relies on national visibility to grow, the coverage gap is glaring.

Scheduling Struggles

Another source of criticism has been ESPN’s handling of NHL scheduling. Some games have been placed behind paywalls on ESPN+, limiting casual fans’ access to marquee matchups. While streaming is undoubtedly the future, the NHL’s dependence on ESPN’s platform has left many fans frustrated when compared to the more accessible coverage the NBA and NFL receive.

Playoff broadcasts have also sparked complaints. Fans have noted awkward scheduling conflicts, uneven commentary quality, and a lack of buildup compared to how ESPN promotes basketball postseason coverage.

The Disrespect Narrative

The frustration among fans boils down to one core feeling: disrespect.

When ESPN acquired the NHL rights, the assumption was that hockey would finally get equal treatment alongside other major sports. Instead, it has often been sidelined. Critics argue that ESPN treats the NHL like filler content — an obligation rather than a marquee property.

The contrast is stark when compared to Turner Sports, which has embraced hockey with deeper coverage, creative studio programming, and personalities who actively champion the game.

Why It Matters

This lack of attention isn’t just about hurt feelings — it has real consequences for the sport. The NHL has been working hard to grow in non-traditional markets and attract new audiences. Without consistent national promotion, casual sports fans may never discover the thrill of hockey.

ESPN has the power to elevate the sport’s profile, but so far, the network’s focus remains heavily tilted toward the NFL and NBA.

Looking Ahead

The NHL-ESPN deal still has several years left, meaning there’s time for improvement. To repair its reputation with hockey fans, ESPN needs to:

• Dedicate consistent studio coverage to the NHL.

• Increase highlight visibility on SportsCenter and social channels.

• Treat playoff broadcasts with the same hype as basketball.

• Showcase hockey stars as cultural icons, not just athletes in passing.

Hockey fans want the game to thrive. All they ask is that the network entrusted with its national platform gives it the respect it deserves.

Final Thought: ESPN may have bought the rights to the NHL, but until it treats hockey as a top-tier sport, fans will continue to wonder whether the league made the right choice in selling its soul to the “Worldwide Leader.