Report: Versus Set To Return To DirecTV Next Week (For A Fee)

After months of legal wrangling and public smear campaigns on both sides, it appears that Versus and DirecTV have come to an agreement that will allow DirecTV customers to purchase the NHL's American television rights holder via sports tier packaging. And it'll happen before the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

From MMA site CagePotato:

Sources close to the situation tell CagePotato that the dispute will come quietly to an end next week, with DirecTV subscribers once again able to purchase Versus as part of a special sports tier. While it won't come in time for this weekend's WEC card, MMA fans with DirecTV should have the opportunity to purchase the channel by the time the UFC runs its first event on the network later this month.

All the fighting in a cage stuff aside, this is excellent news for thousands, if not millions of hockey fans across the United States. For the entire NHL season thus far, fans with DirecTV haven't had the option of even paying extra to watch these games.

Local blackouts apply to Versus televised games on NHL Center Ice, the league's television package, and NHL Game Center Live, the league's Internet TV service, meaning that no matter how much money these people shelled out, they couldn't watch their teams when the games were on Versus.

Now, thanks to this long overdue agreement, they will again have the option to purchase Versus as part of a their sports tier package. According to DirecTV's website, the 'Sports Pack' costs $12.99 per month. It's not ideal, but at least the option is on the table. Just in time for the playoffs.

NOT SO FAST: After posting this, John Ourand of Sports Business Journal said on Twitter that the two parties are talking, but that a deal is 'not imminent' because Versus 'won't accept being put on a sports tier.'