The Seattle Kraken announced two new broadcast partners to increase over-the-air and streaming options for fans. The deal features multi-year partnerships with Tegna and Amazon Prime Video in place for next season. This means a departure from Root Sports, which carried the team’s game during their first three seasons.

All non-nationally televised Kraken games will be broadcast on Tegna-owned KONG with 15 games simulcast on sister station KING 5 in Seattle. Additionally, Amazon Prime members in Washington, Oregon and Alaska, will be able to watch all non-nationally televised Kraken games on Amazon Prime Video at no additional cost. The streaming slate will include preseason, regular season and, potentially, the first round of playoffs.

“Root has been a terrific partner for us; we have appreciated their support as we determined our broadcast plans moving forward,” said Kraken owner, Sam Holloway in a release. “Today’s announcement is a game changer for our fans. Our goal is to increase the ways they can watch our games – whether they’re cheering us on at home or on the go. To have both Tegna and Prime Video as trusted partners is a dream come true. I can’t wait for more fans to fall in love with Kraken hockey.”

“Our collaboration with the Seattle Kraken marks a significant milestone in our commitment to celebrating the essence of local sports on local broadcast television,” said Dave Lougee, president and CEO, Tegna. “We look forward to bringing every thrilling moment of Kraken hockey to all viewers in the Pacific Northwest as we build on our long-standing commitment to the region.”

“Seattle Kraken hockey is synonymous with the Pacific Northwest, and we’re thrilled to bring Prime members in Washington, Oregon and Alaska access to Kraken games on Prime Video,” said Charlie Neiman, head of sports partnerships for Prime Video. “Live Kraken games add to our growing selection of premium live sports and deliver additional value for Prime members throughout the Kraken home footprint.”

Bob Cole, the legendary voice of ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ has died at the age of 90.

“Thank you for decades of love for his work, love of Newfoundland and love of hockey,” his daughter, Megan Cole, told CBC News. She said her father had been healthy “up until the very end.” 

Cole began his tenure as the play-by-play man on Hockey Night in Canada way back in 1969 when the games were carried by CBC Radio. When HNIC moved to TV in 1973, Cole came along. He was best known for his “Oh, baby!” catchphrase.

Fifty years later, Cole was finally done as a hockey broadcaster. He announced that 2018-19 would be his final season in the booth before the season had begun. April 6, 2019, his career came to an end with a Maple Leafs’ shootout loss to the Montreal Canadians.

Last week an ESPN.com report on former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said he was close to signing a deal with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions. A new report from Andrew Marchand of The Athletic says all signs point to Belichick being a recurring guest on Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, also known as the ManningCast.

Belichick recently announced on The Pat McAfee Show he will take part in their Draft Spectacular on Thursday night for day 1 of the NFL Draft. McAfee has stated on a couple of occasions that he would like to have Belichick as a regular guest on his show, as he has done previously with Aaron Rodgers and Nick Saban.

In Marchand’s report he also notes there could be a podcast in the works for Belichick through Omaha Productions. The Athletic and ESPN have previously reported Belichick is also writing a book which will focus on leadership.

So, while not coaching this season, Belichick looks to stay very busy. Those close to the second winningest NFL head coach of all time, believe his plans are to be back on the sidelines next season.