Friedman's Return to Sportsnet Hinges on Amazon Complications
Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman is nearing a deal to return to Sportsnet as the network's lead hockey analyst, but Amazon's midweek games may be a complication.
Friedman has been a temporary broadcasting free agent and has been in talks with Sportsnet, which holds exclusive national rights to NHL games under a 12-year, $11 billion contract.
Rogers, the parent company of Sportsnet, does not want Friedman to work on Amazon Prime's midweek games, according to hockey circles. However, sources familiar with the negotiations believe that Friedman is close to returning to Sportsnet.
Kevin Bieksa, a former NHL player and studio analyst, is also in contract talks with Rogers, which may be trying to cut costs by reducing the number of analysts on staff.