JOIN USHockey India has signed a multi-year broadcast agreement with broadcaster ESPN STAR Sports for the telecast of the Hockey India League (HIL) and all the international matches to be played by the national team in the country for the next 5 years
The ESPN STAR Sports has been granted global telecast rights for the professional hockey league, scheduled to begin on January 2013.
The league will comprise of at least six franchise hockey teams and will feature 33 matches to be played in prime time across the country. All teams will play each other on a home and away basis (30 league matches) followed by semifinals and the final.
Also, ESPN STAR Sports will have the global broadcast rights to telecast at least five international matches. The number of matches that India will play against top quality international opposition could go up depending on the finalization of the series schedule.
“We are delighted to have ESPN STAR Sports as our broadcast partners. Hockey India has a clear vision – we want to revive the glory days of hockey in India and drive popularity of the game across the country. This partnership with ESPN STAR Sports will play a key role in our overall plans,” Hockey India Secretary General and Chairman, Hockey India League, Narinder Batra said.
“The proposed league (HIL) will be the biggest initiative that hockey has ever seen in India. We have been working out the details for months now and I am glad to announce that things are quickly falling into place. I am confident that our partners ESPN STAR Sports will help us deliver a flawless world class product.”