[6] McLaren contracted Dolores Claman, a classically trained composer who had produced a number of successful jingles, promotional songs and television theme music,[7] to write the tune.
[9] In the 1970s, CBC began using the tune as the standard introduction for the show and Claman was entitled to music-use licence payments of between $2,000 and $10,000 each year.
[39] However, Moore also suggested that the window to reach an agreement was closing, as the broadcaster would need time to find a replacement if negotiations fell through.
[40] Published reports indicate that the impasse was caused by CBC's offer to buy the theme outright for significantly less than Claman's representatives believe it to be worth, as well as the complications relating to the ongoing lawsuit.
[41] The publisher presented CBC with a number of solutions including a licence virtually identical to the one in place for the better part of the previous ten years.
While negotiations resumed late on June 5 and continued the following day, in the early evening of June 6, CBC announced it could not reach an acceptable agreement, and would proceed with a contest for a new theme in collaboration with music label Nettwerk, with the winner receiving $100,000 and half of all lifetime royalties (CBC would presumably have full ownership of the theme thereafter).
We are proud of the association with the former theme song and are saddened that we were unable to reach a deal, especially when we presented an offer which we believe was not substantively different from what the rights holders had proposed to us.
As of today, CBC Sports is moving forward with our plan to have the Canadian public compose the new Hockey Night in Canada theme song.
[42]This afternoon John Ciccone communicated with Scott Moore of CBC and requested a meeting on Monday to further discuss the issues surrounding "The Hockey Theme".
One of the contest's submissions, "Hockey Scores", had the most views and comments, and was the top rated entry, but didn't make it to the semifinals.
[49][50][51] Shortly after the announcement, the CBC filed applications to protect what appear to be three versions of "The Hockey Theme" as sound trademarks.
[53] The song has a long and storied history in Canadian sports and has become ingrained in the hearts and minds of hockey fans across the country.
[54] The new version of "The Hockey Theme" was recorded by members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and leaked by Canadian Press in a video first posted September 24, 2008.
"[56][57] TSN's regional broadcasts of the Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, and RDS' French-language telecasts of the Montreal Canadiens still continue to use "The Hockey Theme."