Ad time on the U.S. 500 is sold out, according to a
spokesperson at ESPN. ... Seven sponsors will likely make up the
TV ad roster in the U.S. for ABC's World Cup '98 coverage:
MasterCard, Coca-Cola, Snickers, Canon, Anheuser-Busch,
McDonald's and Fuji. Sources estimate packages will range from
$4-5M, but it "was unclear" how many spots ABC would be offering.
... The Classic Sports Network lists Mass Mutual, Topps, The
Money Store, and Time Life as current advertisers. CEO Brian
Bedol said the network is offering a "variety of packages across
different dayparts and sports," ranging from under $100,000 to
$1M. Bedol: "Classic Sports is meant to supplement, not replace
sports buys on the networks." ... The World Boxing League is in
talks with UPN about buying time on the network for two events in
June. UPN would not produce nor sell national ad time, as the
WBL has contracted New York-based Associated Television Int'l for
ad sales with proposals before such boxing regulars as Miller-
Brewing, A-B, and Corona. Should the shows get approval, ATI
will then search for a title sponsor (Reynolds & Brockinton,
INSIDE MEDIA, 2/21 issue).
