No, we aren't talking about a great deal of cross promotion between my Cincinnati Reds and my Columbus Blue Jackets or anything (although the thought of my right-handed doppelganger, Aaron Harang on skates should intimidate even the toughest hockey player), but Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) and the National Hockey League (NHL) are teaming up. The two are going to start co-selling an online video package where out-of-market game subscriptions for both leagues will be marketed in tandem. According to The Sports Business Journal (SBJ), this deal "marks a rare level of cooperation between sports entities with limited common ownership."
The package will be available for $139.95, which is a small price to pay considering the MLB package and the NHL package are both more expensive on their own. SBJ reports that NHL research indicates that 80% of hockey fans are also MLB fans, so this is a good way for the NHL to piggyback on MLB's popularity.
MLB's MLBTV will be packaged with ESPN's insider content subscription in hopes of boosting both entities. The price tag for this joint venture will run $129.95.
While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, it is contracted to run through 2009. According to league representatives, it seems that the agreement will likely be renewed in 2010.
I am a fan of both sports (far more than Major League Soccer, as some kind commenters have pointed out), and I think this will be a nice deal for both. The deal has a chance to be far more lucrative for the NHL, as its popularity in the United States is extremely low. Will MLB be boosted as much? I doubt it, but any exposure is good exposure for MLB.
This could be an interesting partnership and while some may fail to see what this can do for baseball, I think it is a good decision that could lead to padded pocketbooks for each league.
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