As reported yesterday, CBS Sports will air Games One
and Three of the ABL Championship Series in each of the next
two seasons. In San Jose, Sheldon Spencer writes that the
league "will buy the time from CBS for an undisclosed
amount, then attempt to recoup its investment by selling all
advertising" (S.J. MERCURY NEWS, 7/16). CBS will produce
and direct the games (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/16).
RATINGS, ETC: CBS Sports VP/Programming Rob Correa said
that two games "is all that would really fit into our
schedule at this point. ... Realistically, the expansion we
could look at is additional playoff games" (USA TODAY,
7/16). During a teleconference yesterday, Correa said, "We
don't really want to talk about our expectations for
ratings. It's too early to tell." Cavalli said that the
league intends to expand its ad budget "considerably this
year, to advertise not only on our games, but to really
focus on our television package," which he said will include
weekly ads in USA Today and other national media (CBS).
THE TOTAL PACKAGE: In Hartford, Bruce Berlet writes
that Fox Sports Net, which carried ABL games last season, is
joined by USA Network and UPN as "the finalists" for the
rest of the league TV package (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/16).
DRAFT NOTICE: CBS's games will air "just after" the
NCAA Women's Final Four, but before college players "decide
whether to align" with the ABL or WNBA. ABL CEO Gary
Cavalli: "We'll have an opportunity to have our showcase
event being played when they're coming out" (S.J. MERCURY
NEWS, 7/16). Cavalli: "Frankly, TV was a big factor in the
recruiting battle this year" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/16).
