With Nashville's NHL expansion team set to begin play
in '98, broadcasters "are preparing to face off" over the TV
and radio rights to home and road games, according to Cree
Lawson of the NASHVILLE BANNER. No deals have been struck
yet, but Atlanta-based Fox Sports South "has been talking"
to Craig Leipold, the head of Nashville's NHL ownership
group, about televising games, and local TV and radio
stations "also are showing interest." Lawson reports that
Fox Sports South does not carry any hockey, and is looking
to add "up to three teams to its roster in the next few
years." Fox Sports South spokesperson Jamie Kimbrough said
that Atlanta's NHL expansion team "would not diminish" the
network's coverage in Nashville. Other potential cable
carriers include InterMedia Partners and Speer
Communications. Meanwhile, local stations WKRN, WSMV and
WTVF each could pursue over-the-air rights. WWTN-FM and
WSM-AM are "viewed as front runners" for radio rights
because both are owned by Gaylord Entertainment Co., which
has a 20% stake in the team (NASHVILLE BANNER, 6/26).
