Michael Jordan is on the cover of Sports Illustrated for a
record 37th time (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/12)....USA Network, which
debuts its new look and logo at midnight Monday, will introduce a
new opening to its sportscasts beginning August 26 with the U.S.
Open coverage (N.Y. POST, 6/12)....In DC, Leonard Shapiro writes
of ESPNEWS getting the jump on CNN/SI: "Timing often is critical
in forming viewer habits, and ESPN wanted to launch first"
(WASHINGTON POST, 6/12)....The Sports Network, the PA-based
online service, and AOL Productions have discontinued their Web
relationship and will develop separate sites. AOL's new sports
info service can be found at http://www.SportNation. com (Sports
Network)....National Media Group and CBS have teamed to produce a
special one-hour feature for the CBS Sports Show on June 15 on
"Ultrateam Drag Racing," featuring several categories of drag
racing (NMG)....ESPN and Cox Communications have joined on a
promotional campaign for the X Games in RI and CT areas served by
Cox Cable (ESPN)....The TV networks and Nielsen Media research
said they will team up to explore how to make the ratings system
more accurate (WASHINGTON POST, 6/12)....As they conclude the
upfront selling season, the networks' total primetime sales
(including UPN and WB) are expected to near $6B, a 2-3% hike over
last season, despite an overall audience decline (L.A. TIMES,
6/12)....ESPN has extended its deal with the season-ending NASCAR
Winston Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway "into the next
century" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 6/12).
