Verizon extends as NHL wireless provider
The National Hockey League (NHL) has extended its deal with wireless partner Verizon for a further three years.
As the league’s official wireless service provider in the US, Verizon will offer exclusive content via its own edition of the NHL GameCenter smartphone and tablet applicatons. For the first time, the new offering will offer fans access to match action, real-time scores, team press conferences, expert analysis, and on-location coverage of events such as the Winter Classic, All-Star Weekend and Stanley Cup final.
The new partnership with Verizon was struck by the NHL, its Player’s Association (NHLPA) and NBC Sports Group. An additional aspect of the renewal will see all NHL games that air on NBC made available to all Verizon Wireless customers using the Verizon editions of the NHL GameCenter app.
Although financial terms were not disclosed, the deal is believed to be worth a significant eight-figure sum annually.
“With more fans using mobile phones and tablets to access NHL content, we are focused on growing this area to provide the best customer experience possible,” said Keith Wachtel, senior vice president of integrated sales at the NHL. “An important step in accomplishing this is to extend our partnership with Verizon, a leader in the wireless category, to bring our tech-savvy fans the premium NHL content they demand through the medium of their choice.”
Conley Smith, executive director of sponsorships for Verizon Wireless, added: “Bringing our technology combined with new and exclusive content to our customers is one of the exciting aspects of this relationship. The fast pace of NHL action is a perfect match with the blazingly fast speeds of Verizon’s leading 4G LTE network.”
