ESPN renews PHF streaming rights deal

Disney-owned ESPN has announced an extended rights deal with the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF).

The deal will see North America’s only professional women’s hockey league continue to be carried on ESPN+ through to the end of the 2023/24 season. Along with regular season matches, the deal also includes live coverage of the Isobel Cup playoffs. 

The 2022/23 season will see the PHF extend with the addition of a seventh franchise, with a team set to be based in Montreal.

The league initially agreed a rights agreement with ESPN in October 2021 to stream 60 regular season matches, special events and playoffs exclusively on ESPN+.

Patrick Costello, director of digital media programming for ESPN, said: “As we track the growth of women’s hockey around the world, we are energised by the significant advancements made by the PHF since our relationship began last season, and the exceptional growth on the horizon.”

PHF commissioner Reagan Carey said: “Extending our valued relationship with ESPN over the next two years ensures we can showcase talented athletes and competitive action on the ice, share incredible stories off the ice, provide our partners with a platform to connect with fans, and engage our dedicated fan base while introducing the PHF to a larger worldwide audience.”

Elsewhere, ESPN has provided information on its broadcast plans for the US Open, which runs August 29-September 11. The broadcaster will carry more than 140 hours of coverage of the US Open across the fortnight, and will provide coverage across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN3.