NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently made a statement that has left many in the sports world scratching their heads, as he downplayed the pressure to secure a new national television rights deal before the NFL's negotiations are finalized. The NFL's collective bargaining agreement is set to expire in 2027, and with the league's massive television contracts set to be renegotiated, many expected the NHL to follow suit and seek a new deal before the NFL's process is complete. However, Bettman's comments suggest that the NHL is not feeling the same sense of urgency, and may be willing to wait for a more favorable deal. The NHL's current television contracts are set to expire in 2025, leaving the league with a significant window to negotiate a new deal, but the question remains: will the NHL's strategy pay off, or will they be left in the cold?

Bettman: NHL feeling no pressure to reach rights deal before NFL  Sports Media Watch