The NFL's recent TV deals "sent tremors through the
sports industry that could be felt as far away as" PGA Tour
HQ in FL, according to Dave Shedloski of GOLFWEEK. CBS,
which recently "retained a plurality" of Tour events through
2002, will have to "reschedule a number of fourth-quarter
golf events," including the World Cup and "most notably" the
Presidents Cup, the final round of which was to air December
13 on tape delay from 1:00-6:00pm EST. PGA Tour Senior
VP/TV Productions Donna Orender said that for the Presidents
Cup, the Tour will "probably" opt for a split telecast
around an early NFL game. The Tour said it is "pleased"
that CBS gained the NFL, as it can now "cross-promote golf"
to key male demos, just as NBC can do on its NBA coverage.
Orender: "This brings [CBS] a larger, more visible sports
programming piece, and we're exploring additional packaging
opportunities." Shedloski adds that while the Ryder Cup and
Presidents Cup, which NBC acquires in 2000, will help fill
NBC's "enormous void" on Sundays, the net "may also look
into additional golf, although there's precious little
available." But NBC "might have interest in" the two new
World Championship events that are held in the fall, as well
as the Tour Championship (GOLFWEEK, 1/24). NBC Sports VP Ed
Markey said "[a]t this point," NBC has "no sports plan for
the fall of '98." Markey: "The only thing we've decided is
we won't be showing the NBA" (GOLF WORLD, 1/23).
NFL FALLOUT: Shedloski adds that NFL fees may lead to
time buys, the "primary means" of LPGA coverage and many
post-season events, becoming "more expensive." Now, the
average time buy costs "about" $250,000 per hour, but the
rate "could exceed $300,000." But, NFL rights fees could
result in an escalation of ad rates for those broadcasts,
making golf's ad costs "more appealing" (GOLFWEEK, 1/24).
