The NFL Cardinals announced Friday that they have agreed to
a two-year deal with an option year with Meredith Broadcasting's
KPHO-TV (a CBS affiliate) and Bonneville Broadcasting Properties'
KHTC-FM and KDIR-AM (also known as KIDS Radio), according to the
ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Neither of the three outlets has a "major
history as a sports entity," according to the REPUBLIC's Tim
Tyers. Cardinals VP of Broadcasting John Shean: "The
demographics, radio-wise, are very similar with ours in terms of
target audience. I really like the youth aspect KDIR brings to
the table. I also consider it a major plus that KPHO-TV and the
two radio stations don't have other local sports properties."
The new deal "figures to increase the Cardinals' media revenues,
largely because they will have control of the production, sales
and packaging of broadcasts" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/18).
SONIC BOOM: The Sonics' final pay-per-view telecast figures
to be tonight's Game 2. After Game 3, which is in Utah, NBC will
air the rest of the series -- and the Finals, if the Sonics make
it that far (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 5/18).
