In N.Y., NEWSDAY's Elizabeth Sanger is reporting that
senior execs at Cablevision and ITT have come to an
"understanding" that Cablevision "has the right to match"
the highest bid ITT receives for its 50% of MSG, but if it
"doesn't want" to pay that amount, Cablevision "can't block"
a sale to another bidder. Cablevision spokesperson Charles
Schueler: "No such agreement is pending, although
Cablevision does have the right of first refusal, as well as
the intent and resources to purchase the other half of the
Garden if ITT chooses to sell it." ITT spokesperson Jim
Gallagher declined to comment. Sanger adds: "It appears
that the two companies agree that Cablevision does have the
right of first refusal -- but they may disagree on what
happens if Cablevision doesn't want to buy" (NEWSDAY, 2/28).
CUP CRAZY? The NHL Rangers sent letters to season-
ticket holders saying the team is raising playoff ticket
prices across the board: 16% for the first two rounds, 9.3%
for the conference finals and 17% for the finals. Tickets
for the first two rounds will cost from $30-160, conference
finals will cost $35-175 and finals tickets will run between
$40-250 per game (Jason Diamos, N.Y. TIMES, 2/28).
