ESPN MAGAZINE LAUNCH DELAYED AGAIN

          ESPN's magazine "that was supposed to begin competing
     with Sports Illustrated prior to the start of the football
     season is having its opening day pushed back," according to
     a New York Observer report cited in MEDIA CENTRAL.  The
     Observer noted that Hearst Corp.'s "renewed interest" in the
     magazine is "causing the holdup."  Hearst, which owns 20% of
     ESPN and published eight issues of ESPN Total Sports in '95
     and '96, "had second thoughts about backing the magazine"
     after a "start up price" of roughly $75M.  But, Disney
     approved the launch, "subsequently prompting reconsideration
     at Hearst" (MEDIA CENTRAL, 4/28).