International sports streaming heavyweight DAZN has snapped up global broadcast rights to 3ICE, the three-on-three professional ice hockey league.
The deal came into effect in time for the inaugural 3ICE World Cup, which took place in Northern Ireland across July 4 and 5, and was contested by eight national teams (Great Britain, the US, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria).
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This will be followed by the fourth season of the 3ICE Men's League, which will run between July 14 and 16 in Iowa, US. That short tournament involves eight city-based franchises.
Shay Segev, DAZN Group's chief executive (CEO), said: "3ICE is a dynamic professional hockey format that aligns with DAZN’s goal to bring fans closer to the most exciting and innovative sports. Its pace, drama, and fast-growing global appeal make it highly engaging for both traditional hockey audiences and new fans alike."
E.J. Johnson, CEO and founder of 3ICE, added: "This partnership is incredibly exciting for our fans, players, coaches, and commercial partners, and it gives audiences around the world the opportunity to experience the speed, skill, and nonstop excitement that make 3ICE unlike anything else in hockey.”
3ICE began life in mid-2022, and its events take place during the off-season of North American men's ice hockey's top-tier NHL.
The first 3ICE campaign was aired internationally by major sports broadcaster ESPN.
In the US, meanwhile, previous seasons have been covered live by CBS Sports, while in ice-hockey mad Canada, a rights deal is in place with TSN and RDS.
In late 2022, premium experiences and hospitality heavyweight Legends entered into a strategic partnership with 3ICE to support and accelerate the growth of the nascent property, and also made a minority investment in the league.
DAZN, meanwhile, in terms of its recent rights activity, bolstered its soccer rights package in the Spanish market earlier this week, adding the country’s third-tier Primera Federacion to an offering that also includes the top two tiers.
