CTV President & CEO John Cassaday and NBA Commissioner David
Stern announced yesterday a broadcasting agreement that will
cover three full seasons and start with the NBA Finals this June.
Under the deal, which runs through the '98 season, CTV will
broadcast four regular season games in prime time, including the
Grizzlies and the Raptors' home openers and two head-to-head
matchups between the Canadian expansion teams. In addition, CTV
will carry 15 Sunday afternoon games -- five Raptors, five
Grizzlies, and five other matchups. Also included: The NBA All-
Star Game, six playoff games and the NBA Finals (CTV). CTV VP of
Sports Doug Beeforth described the deal as a "win-win revenue
sharing agreement," and Cassaday said that the actual dollar
value of the deal "will have to be determined somewhere down the
road" (Dan Stinson, VANCOUVER SUN, 5/11). However, one industry
source said the league and CTV would earn $20M a season "if sales
go well," and $5M if they don't (Craig Daniels, TORONTO SUN,
5/11). CTV will produce the games that originate from Canada.
For other games, CTV will pick up NBC's feed with a "Canadian
wraparound" including CTV-produced pre- and post-game shows
(Robert MacLeod, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 5/11). Beeforth also said
that NBC games carried by Seattle's KING and seen in Vancouver
will not be blacked out (Howard Tsumura, Vancouer PROVINCE,
5/11).
LOCAL DEAL: The Grizzlies' local broadcast deal with BCTV
is expected to be announced soon. The deal is expected to allow
BCTV to carry 25 Grizzlies games and 25 Canucks games (Robert
MacLeod, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 5/11).
