HOPE Volleyball SummerFest returns
One of the largest volleyball events in the world returned to Ottawa's Mooney's Bay Saturday. CTV's Kimberley Johnson reports.
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CBC
9 minutes ago
- CBC
Analyzing Olivia Smith's record move to Arsenal, plus breaking down the NSL's hot topics
Andi Petrillo chats with CBC Senior contributor Shireen Ahhmed about the biggest transfer in women's soccer history, Jordyn Huitema joins the show to talk CanWNT, and we discuss some of the top topics happening in the NSL.
CTV News
20 minutes ago
- CTV News
Professor questions value as Sportsnet Premium streaming price jumps 30%
Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save on Florida Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe (23) during the third period in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Sportsnet failed to clearly communicate with fans ahead of a significant price hike to its premium streaming service, a professor says. The broadcaster, owned by Rogers, is raising the price of its Sportsnet+ Premium streaming service starting Sept. 9, with the annual plan jumping from $249.99 to $324.99. The premium tier is the only streaming option in Canada that offers out-of-market NHL games — more than 1,000 matchups — along with in-market regional and national broadcasts. The monthly price is rising from $34.99 to $42.99, meaning fans who subscribe just for the nine-month NHL season will pay more ($386.91) than they would on the annual plan. Brock University sport management professor Michael Naraine says the price hike is frustrating for fans, especially given the lack of communication from Sportsnet. He says the company offered no explanation or incentives — such as advance notice or loyalty discounts — which are common strategies in other industries. 'They just raised prices,' he said. 'They didn't explain to customers or give them a sense of lead time.' By comparison, U.S. viewers can stream out-of-market NHL games via ESPN+ for US$11.99 a month or US$119.99 a year. International fans can access games through for US$14.99 a month. A Sportsnet spokesperson defended the price increase in a statement Monday. 'This update reflects that great value for sports fans looking for the best sports content in the country, while remaining competitively priced with other options in the market,' the statement read. The prices of other Sportsnet packages are also increasing, but not as drastically. A standard Sportsnet subscription, which includes all Toronto Blue Jays content along with national and in-market NHL games, is increasing from $199.99 to $249.00 annually and $24.99 to $29.99 monthly. The increase, Naraine says, was to be expected given Rogers' new 12-year, $11-billion broadcast rights deal with the NHL that begins in 2026–27. Still, Naraine says it's a no-win situation for Sportsnet, because fans are likely to push back no matter what. 'A rational fan would say, 'OK, look, Rogers just paid even more of a premium to get the hockey rights. I expect probably a price increase,'' he said. 'The challenge is, the price is increasing substantially, and the level of service that consumers and fans have been getting over the last couple of years has been suspect — and I think that's really the crux of the issue.' He pointed to stream quality issues and a lack of polish compared to how Apple, Netflix, and Amazon deliver live sports. The hike could push some consumers toward other options, Naraine says — including piracy, password sharing, or turning to the grey market. That might mean using a VPN to access cheaper international streams not intended for Canadian viewers — a legal grey area that bypasses regional broadcast rights. 'When the consumer feels so squeezed, eventually they'll say, 'Look, all right, you know what, I can't afford it no more — screw it,'' he said. 'And we've already started to see that pressure with people (not) going to games. 'But over time, people get accustomed to, 'That's just the cost of doing business,' and people will accept it if they feel that they can take it on. Some people may not feel it, some people will feel it. And right now, Rogers is banking on the fact that maybe over the next few years, people are just going to accept that this is the cost of doing business.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 14, 2025. Abdulhamid Ibrahim, The Canadian Press
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Panthers' names engraved on Stanley Cup with one notably person missing
Article content But one name was noticeably absent: Doug Cifu. Cifu, whose name is included alongside members of the 2023-24 Cup winners as a part-owner and executive, resigned after making several vulgar posts on social media earlier this year. Article content Cifu, the team's vice-chairman, partner and alternate governor, appeared to have made several disturbing comments on social media Sunday night after watching his team defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 4 of their NHL playoff series. Article content The post on X appeared to take shots at a Leafs fan and Canada in general, while commenting on the conflict between Israel and Hamas in screenshots taken of posts that have now been made private. Article content 'Eat s— 51st state anti semite loser. Israel now and forever. Until ever (sic) last Hamas rat is eliminated,' the X account allegedly belonging to Cifu posted. Article content 'Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media,' Cifu said in the statement. 'My behaviour does not reflect the standards of the Florida Panthers organization and the Viola family. Article content Article content 'I sincerely apologize to all those affected by my comments. I am committed to working with the NHL to amend my actions.' Article content Article content Cifu's viral post was a reply to @mrgrozz, a Toronto sports fan account that has bragged about trolling sports team owners in the past. Article content In the original post, which has been reposted as a screenshot, Dr. Grizzo compared the controversial hits by the NHL team to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Article content Panthers owner tilted LFG 😂😂😂 — Dr. Grizzo (PhD, MD, BA, MBA, 7'4 240 IQ) (@mrgrozz) May 12, 2025 Article content Article content 'Hey what's worse, using headshots to win a series or using starvation as a weapon to win a war?' the post on X said. Article content Cifu allegedly replied, writing: 'Actually being a whiny dope anti semite is clearly worse. Loser.' Article content 'Not approving of using starvation as a weapon makes me a bigot? Got it,' Dr. Grizzo replied. 'Get some sleep man, market opens early tomorrow. Best of luck frontrunning Robinhood traders you MAGA d— licker.' Article content After the exchange, the account appearing to belong to Cifu went private and was deactivated. The NHL came down hard on Cifu, suspending him indefinitely from any and all involvement with the team and the league. 'The NHL has concluded that Mr. Cifu's X posts were unacceptable and inappropriate. As a result, Mr. Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the club and the NHL,' the league said in a statement to Postmedia. 'An in-person meeting will be scheduled with Mr. Cifu and the commissioner at a date to be determined.'
