MLS VP/Marketing & Broadcasting Paul Phipps said he
hopes to sell 8,000-10,000 season subscriptions to the new
"MLS/ESPN Shootout" PPV package to DirecTV customers. A
full-season package is $69.00 (CABLE WORLD, 4/14 issue).
...Visa launched a World Wide Web site this week as part of
its promotion behind horse racing's Triple Crown. The site,
created by NJ Online's Journal Square Interactive, offers
local newspaper coverage of the three races via newspaper
network Real Media (MEDIAWEEK, 4/14)....USA TODAY's Rudy
Martzke writes that CBS and NBC "say they were not
interested" in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, which
ABC renewed for $96M over eight years. NBC Sports President
Dick Ebersol: "At no time did NBC discuss money" (USA TODAY,
4/18)....SI will publish a 100-page "collector's issue"
commemorating the career of Mario Lemieux that will roll out
in Pittsburgh and select NHL cities on April 21 (SI)....In
L.A., Larry Stewart writes on Fox Sports West's decision to
simulcast the Ducks' playoff games on FSW and FSW2.
Stewart: "Give Fox Sports West credit. Instead of taking
the Mighty Ducks to court to keep them from lifting the ESPN
blackouts of their first two playoff games, Fox Sports West
did the right thing" (L.A. TIMES, 4/18).
