The potential battle for TV viewers between the NHL
Hurricanes and ACC basketball is examined by Chip Alexander
of the Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER. Hurricanes General Counsel
Lou Beer: "There's no reason college basketball fans can't
be Hurricanes fans. It's not like we're stealing their
players." The team's goal is to have all 82 regular-season
games on TV next season and they hope to receive the league
average of $5M annually in a broadcast package. A
"secondary goal" for the Hurricanes is a 70 game TV deal.
The Hurricanes have had talks with Capitol Broadcasting Co.
and RSNs SportsSouth and Home Team Sports have inquired
about game packages (NEWS & OBSERVER, 5/18). An interview
with team Owner Peter Karmanos is featured in the front-page
of the HARTFORD COURANT under the header, "Karmanos,
Politicians: The Hostility Is Mutual. Whalers Parting
Shots Go In Both Directions" (HARTFORD COURANT, 5/19).
AVALANCHE: The Avalanche said its ticket prices will
rise a minimum of 15% next season. Tickets this season
ranged from $12.50-100. Next season the range will be $15-
126. Season-ticket holders receive about a 10% discount on
the single-game ticket prices (DENVER POST, 5/17).
SHARKS: The Sharks will raise tickets roughly 6-9%,
depending on the location for next season. The single
exception is the cheapest seats, which will remain at $15.
The most expensive ticket jumps from $73-78 (SAN JOSE
MERCURY NEWS, 5/15).
IHL VIPERS: In Detroit, Joe Falls notes that the IHL
Vipers had offered a plan where all their home playoff games
would be made available to fans for $25. The Vipers have
played six home playoff games, with a guarantee of one more,
making each ticket worth $3.59 so far (DETROIT NEWS, 5/18).