NEW YORK/TORONTO (March 4, 2015) – Sportsnet has been awarded the exclusive English-language media rights in Canada and TVA Sports the exclusive French-language media rights in Canada to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the National Hockey League (NHL®) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today. The deal covers all tournament games – round-robin, semi-final and the best-of-three final – for the 2016 tournament and includes television, online and mobile rights.

The World Cup of Hockey will be played at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto Sept. 17 – Oct. 1, 2016. Eight teams, comprised of the world’s best hockey players, will compete for a best-on-best international hockey championship.

“We are excited to reach an agreement, along with the NHL, for Sportsnet and TVA Sports to broadcast the 2016 World Cup of Hockey – a two-week competition that will feature over 150 of the top hockey players in the world,” said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director. “Hockey fans from coast-to-coast in Canada will experience comprehensive coverage of the players participating in this best-on-best tournament.”

"The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will be a spectacular moment for our League and our players," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We know Sportsnet and TVA will capture the excitement, the drama and every moment of what will be outstanding hockey for our fans across Canada."

“Without a doubt, this tournament is going to be one of the biggest and best events in 2016,” said Scott Moore, President, Sportsnet & NHL Properties, Rogers. “The country’s passion for the game has never been stronger, and it will be incredible for Canadians to experience this event on home ice. This world-class event will enrich our industry-leading hockey offering and continue our strong partnerships with the NHL and NHLPA.”

“The World Cup of Hockey will be a major international event and we are proud to continue our partnership with the National Hockey League Players' Association and the NHL as exclusive Francophone broadcaster,” said Pierre Dion, President and CEO of Quebecor. “We have a commitment to the fans and the NHL to offer the best of hockey and the World Cup is a golden opportunity to showcase the sport.”

The eight teams participating in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey will include Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Finland, Team Russia, Team Sweden, Team USA, Team Europe and Team North American Young Stars. The teams will be divided into two Groups of four, and each will compete in three tournament games within their assigned Group in a round-robin format. The top two finishers in each Group will advance to a single-game semi-final against a team from the other Group. Winners of the semi-final games will advance to a best-of-three final round. It is expected that more than 150 of the best players in the NHL will participate in this tournament.

### (3/4/2015)

ESPN AWARDED EXCLUSIVE U.S. MEDIA RIGHTS FOR 2016 WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY

All Tournament Games Including Final, Semifinals and Round-Robin Games to be Televised Live Across ESPN’s Networks

NEW YORK/TORONTO (March 4, 2015) – ESPN has been awarded the exclusive U.S. media rights to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the National Hockey League (NHL®) and National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced today. The World Cup of Hockey will be played at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto Sept. 17 – Oct. 1, 2016. Eight teams, comprised of the world’s best hockey players, will compete for a best-on-best international hockey championship.

The deal covers all tournament games – round-robin, semi-final and the best-of-three final – for the 2016 tournament and includes exclusive rights on television and radio, with most games to appear on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN International gains the exclusive rights in over 20 countries served by its Pacific Rim and Latin North networks. Additionally, live access to coverage of the event on ESPN networks will be available through WatchESPN on computers, smartphones, tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox 360 and Xbox One via an affiliated video provider.

“We are excited to have ESPN as our broadcast partner for what is going to be an incredible tournament featuring over 150 of the top hockey players in the world,” said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director. “ESPN’s reach and storytelling approach will expose our players’ skill and personalities, something that we know will resonate with fans as the tournament unfolds.”

"ESPN broadcast the prior World Cup of Hockey, from Air Canada Centre. Now the World Cup is returning, with ESPN broadcasting in the U.S.," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "We are very pleased and hope our fans will be, as well."

“We are thrilled to resume our partnership with Gary Bettman and the National Hockey League and to work closely with Gary and Don Fehr of the National Hockey League Players Association to make the World Cup of Hockey on ESPN a reality,” said John Skipper, ESPN President. “We look forward to presenting this compelling tournament, with national pride at stake, to fans both in the United States and internationally.”

Further details on the 2016 World Cup of Hockey will be released at a later date.

The eight teams participating in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey will include Team Canada, Team Czech Republic, Team Finland, Team Russia, Team Sweden, Team USA, Team Europe and Team North American Young Stars. The teams will be divided into two Groups of four, and each will compete in three tournament games within their assigned Group in a round-robin format. The top two finishers in each Group will advance to a single-game semi-final against a team from the other Group. Winners of the semi-final games will advance to a best-of-three final round. It is expected that more than 150 of the best players in the NHL will participate in this tournament.

### (3/4/2015)