NBC has finalized an agreement to extend its exclusive
coverage of the Solheim Cup -- the Ryder Cup-type event for women
-- to both the '96 and '98 events. The network's first live
coverage of the competition in '94 captured the highest overall
ratings of any first-time network-televised event in LPGA history
with a 2.3/6 on Saturday and a 2.8/6 for the final round. The
'96 Solheim Cup will be held September 20-22 in Wales. The '98
event is scheduled for Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, OH,
September 18-20. (NBC Sports). In an effort to present more
golf action on-air, ad time will be "severely limited," according
to NBC Sports Senior VP/Programming Jon Miller. Sponsors
currently lined up for '96 include: State Farm, Oldsmobile,
Ericcson Cellular, Footjoy, and Karsten Manufacturing (also
tournament sponsor). Five additional sponsorships will be sold
by the end of June. Miller, who referred to the Solheim Cup as a
"preeminent event" which "keeps people interested in match-play
golf in off-Ryder Cup years," noted that the first three weeks of
NBC's NFL coverage will be used to heavily promote the event (THE
DAILY).
