Fox Sports Net (FSN) and the Red Wings have reached a
multi-year deal that gives the network exclusive regional
cable telecast rights to the Red Wings starting this season.
FSN also announced the creation of a Detroit-based RSN which
will launch as a basic cable channel this fall. A name has
yet to be announced. FSN Detroit has already signed the
Pistons to a deal starting in the '99-2000 season (FSN).
DETAILS: In Detroit, La Canfora & Crowe report the deal
ends the team's relationship with PASS. FSN Detroit will
televise three exhibition and 41 regular-season games. La
Canfora & Crowe: "And because Wings Owner Mike Ilitch also
owns the Tigers, it's very likely their contract will also
go to Fox when their current pact runs out with PASS."
Terms of the Wings' deal were not disclosed, but sources
said that Fox will pay the Pistons between $3-4M annually
for their cable rights. Currently, Fox Sports Net Detroit
"does not have a contract with any of the cable systems
operating in Michigan, but it is confident deals will be
completed" by mid-September (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/18). In
N.Y., Jon Elsen writes that "adding Detroit plugs the last
major hole in Fox Sports Net's coast-to-coast network." Fox
execs said that the Detroit area "is especially attractive
to advertisers because it is the center of the automotive
industry." Fox/Liberty COO Tony Ball: "We're getting nearer
to our goal: no matter where you are in North America,
you'll be able to see Fox Sports Net" (N.Y. POST, 7/18).
