The NFL "has asked its" five TV partners to pay a
"combined increase of nearly 70%, for a total of about $1.85
billion annually, to retain broadcast rights," according to
sources of Stefan Fatsis of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The
incumbents -- ABC, Fox, NBC, ESPN and Turner --"have been
summoned" for meetings today and tomorrow at the NFL's N.Y.
offices and league execs "have told the networks they want
to announce a final deal Wednesday." Sources add that the
league "plans to let CBS enter the bidding if any of the
incumbents seeks to switch from their current programming."
Fatsis writes that the NFL "is demanding a longer contract,
for either five or six years, with the league holding an
option to extend the deal to a total of eight years."
Fatsis also reports that the Monday night package "should
have extra allure because the NFL has decided to move its
starting time" from 9:00pm to 8:00pm ET, giving it "the
entire prime-time evening in the East" (WALL STREET JOURNAL,
1/12). In N.Y., Richard Sandomir reports that the NFL "is
seeking eight-year deals, according to participants in the
talks." Sandomir writes that the league "would have the
option of opening up the contract during the deal, which it
could exercise to get more money if the advertising market
gets better than it already is" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/12).
MORE SOURCES: In DC, Leonard Shapiro writes that league
sources said CBS Sports "is still very much in the running
for a piece of the action," and that it is "reportedly very
interested in the Monday night schedule," as well as "other
packages" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/12).
NO CBA DEAL: On Sunday, NBC's Will McDonough reported
that Steelers Owner Dan Rooney told him that "there's going
to be no" extension of the current CBA ("NFL on NBC," 1/11).
