NEW DISNEY/ESPN SPORTS MAG EXPECTED TO LAUNCH NEXT SPRING

          Disney and ESPN are expected to announce the launch of
     ESPN Magazine this week, according to AD AGE.  Disney
     Publishing President John Skipper will leave that post to
     head up the new magazine, which will launch next spring. The
     magazine is planning to publish up to 40 times a year, and
     will start on a bi-weekly schedule.  While Hearst Magazines
     had produced test issues, Hearst Magazines President
     Cathleen Black said ESPN "would be the lead" on the new
     publication, and "that Hearst's only continuing role would
     be distribution for the title" (AD AGE, 4/22).
          PUNT, PASS AND READ: Disney has also signed a deal with
     NFL Properties to publish as many as five fiction books this
     year "aimed at kids and teens that center on NFL teams,
     players and themes" (AD AGE, 4/21 issue).