The Blue Jays will introduce MLB's first interactive CD-ROM
produced by a team. It will launch nationally with an initial
run of 10,000 at $39.95 per disk (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL,
8/28)...TNT will use a crawl at the bottom of TV screens, like a
stock ticker, to run a continuous TV graphic showing player stats
during their NFL coverage, including post-game shows. The
graphic is geared to fantasy football players. Turner Sports Exec
Producer Mike Pearl says if the graphic is a success, "we'll
start looking at whether it may apply to all Turner Sports
properties" (USA TODAY, 8/28). ...MLS officials "acknowledge" the
announcing and broadcasting of their games "has been suspect,
especially early this year." MLS provides feeds for local
broadcasts through New York-based API Productions. ESPN contracts
its games to Winner Communications in Tulsa, OK. MLS Senior VP
Mark Abbot said the "sights and sounds are improving" as
producers gain experience (AP/RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH,
8/29)...The NFL's redesigned Web site, located at http://nfl.com,
will debut this weekend with live coverage of the league's
opening. The site will focus on the Falcons-Panthers game from
Ericsson Stadium. In addition to game analysis, NFL.COM will
feature chat sessions with NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
(NFL)....The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) will
present five TV specials on PRIME this fall highlighting various
aspects of college football and the coaching profession. AFCA
Exec Dir Grant Teaff will host the programs and AdCraft Sports
Marketing will handle production (AFCA)....ESPN2 televises Game 3
of RHI's Championship Series, if necessary, between Orlando-
Anaheim September 2 at 7:30pm EDT (RHI).
