Gaming provider Inspired Entertainment has signed a licensing agreement with the National Hockey League, securing the rights to develop Virtual Sports games featuring the NHL logo, jerseys and names.
“We are thrilled to work with the NHL and expand our offerings through this license,” Brooks Pierce, Inspired’s President and CEO, said in a press release. “This product will appeal to North American players and to markets like Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. The agreement enhances our Virtual Sports portfolio and aligns with our mission to deliver interactive experiences that redefine sports entertainment, offering NHL fans a unique way to stay connected with the game, even during the offseason.”
The first NHL-integrated products are set for release in the fourth quarter. Inspired has won several awards for its Virtual Sports offerings, which are available on more than 100 websites across 35 countries and more than 40,000 retail channels worldwide.
“Virtual Sports gaming continues to grow in popularity worldwide,” Chris Golier, NHL Group Vice President, Business Development and Innovation, said in the release. “We are excited to work with Inspired to engage our passionate fans through Virtual Sports using NHL assets. Inspired is a leader in this space and will leverage NHL IP to deliver a gaming experience that connects with our fans in new and exciting ways, helping to grow our global fan base.”
Inspired isn’t the only provider to launch NHL-themed titles. This year, Caesars Entertainment released Caesars NHL Blackjack, which features a hockey rink-style playing table.
