In N.Y., Richard Wilner previews the NFL TV rights
negotiations. Westinghouse CEO Michael Jordan said that
despite the record bidding expected for the rights, CBS
would "play in the NFL. We can afford to play" (N.Y. POST,
11/20)....The CBC's coverage of the CFL Grey Cup drew 2.8
million viewers, falling below the average of three million
recorded over the previous seven years (Toronto GLOBE &
MAIL, 11/20). In comparison, the audience for Game One of
the Red Wings-Flyers '96-97 Stanley Cup Finals drew 2.1
million last season (CP/EDMONTON JOURNAL, 11/20)....CBS
Sports will broadcast the Nike Cup, an exhibition featuring
Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier and Marcelo Rios, on
December 21 from 2:00-3:00pm ET. The event, a benefit for
the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation, takes place December
12 at the Rose Garden in Portland, OR (CBS Sports)....Since
its debut November 1, Fox Sports World has averaged a 1.0
rating for weekend afternoons on N.Y.'s WPXN, the second-
highest rated programming block in all dayparts on WPXN (Fox
Sports Net). In related news, Bud Paxson launched the
U.S.'s seventh TV network yesterday, calling his collection
of over 70 stations, PAX NET. Paxson execs said that WPXN's
contract to broadcast Fox/Liberty Sports will expire in
August '98 and "probably won't be renewed" (N.Y. POST,
11/20)...Sports Marketing & Television Int'l (SMTI), a
division of NY-based The Marquee Group, has been retained by
the National Thoroughbred Racing Assoc. (NTRA) as its
exclusive TV agency (The Marquee Group).