CNBC's Jerry Cobb reported live yesterday from the
     grand opening of the first ESPN - The Store in Glendale, CA.
     Cobb: "Disney calls it a possible prototype, but judging
     from the fanfare of Tuesday's opening, there's nothing
     tentative about ESPN - The Store."  Disney Stores President
     Tom Heymann: "We're looking to get everybody of all ages;
     sports fans from the youngest to the oldest, both men and
     women, and we have products that really appeal to everybody"
     ("Business Tonight," 9/16).  In L.A., George White wrote
     that the store is the "latest player in an increasingly
     crowded 'retail-tainment' arena," that includes other chain
     stores from Disney, Warner Bros., Viacom and the Discovery
     Channel.  Disney CEO Michael Eisner: "[T]he entertainment
     store is a risky concept.  This (venture) is not a shoo-in." 
     White wrote that "the continuing spread" of such stores
     "could lead to problems," such as price-cutting.  White also
     added that "the novelty may wear off."  ESPN's store will
     offer company logoed merchandised, clothing/collectibles,
     and sporting equipment, such as mountain bikes and
     skateboards with the X-Games brand name (L.A. TIMES, 9/16).

          ESPN and ESPN2 will broadcast the new Pro Beach Hockey
     series beginning June 1, 1998, and will broadcast 26 one-
     hour original telecasts during the first year of a three
     year commitment.  The initial Pro Beach Hockey season will
     feature 35 game tournament taped weekends from Huntington
     Beach, CA, May 2-24, and the broadcast schedule includes re-
     airs on ESPN2 bringing exposure to a total of 81 telecasts
     during the first season (ESPN).
          X MARKS THE SPOT: ESPN has selected Crested Butte
     Mountain Resort in Colorado as the host site for the 1998
     ESPN Winter X Games, January 15-18.  Last year's Games were
     held at Snow Summit Resort in Big Bear Lake, Calif (ESPN).