LEAGUE MEDIA NEWS & NOTES: CBC NHL PLAYOFF NUMBERS DOWN

          CBC has averaged 1.15 million viewers for their '97
     Stanley Cup Playoffs telecasts, down from 1.48 million in
     '96, according to Neil Campbell in the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. 
     John Shannon, Exec Producer of Hockey Night in Canada,
     thinks not having the Canucks -- who represent the "strong
     Vancouver market" -- and Maple Leafs in the playoffs has
     hurt ratings.  Shannon: "I think we thought the Senators and
     Oilers would capture the imagination more than they have. 
     I'm hoping the fans come back after a little Maple Leafs
     hiatus."  Three Canadian teams made the playoffs this
     season, down from five in '96 (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/25).
          NOTES: The NBA on NBC averaged a 4.9 rating with a 12
     share for the '96-97 season.  The season average for '95-96
     was a 5.3/14 (THE DAILY)....ESPN's coverage of the Goody's
     500 NASCAR Winston Cup event from Martinsville (VA) Speedway
     on Sunday drew a 4.8 cable rating, making it the highest
     rated cable sports telecast of the week and up 14% from last
     year's 4.2 rating (NASCAR Winston Cup Series).