ESPN is in "discussions" with the AFL "to take an
equity position in the 12-year-old league," according to
Daniel Kaplan of the SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The talks are
"being held simultaneously with the AFL's efforts to win an
equity investment" from the NFL. ESPN will broadcast 21 AFL
games this year and the league's title game will be
broadcast nationally for the first time on ABC. Pilson
Communications President Neal Pilson, who is a consultant to
the league, said, "The league is going to be expanding, and
I can confirm that equity discussions are under way between
the league and the NFL and ESPN." Kaplan: "ESPN declined to
comment. The two sides have been talking for several months
and hope to reach an agreement within the next 30 to 60
days. The equity position is expected to be in the
neighborhood of a 20 percent stake." IMG/Chase Sports
Capital's David Moross said that his fund was approached
about a possible AFL investment, but "he passed simply
because he was too busy." The league is also currently in
the process of "acquiring global patent rights from the
creators of the sport" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/27).
A HIT IN K.C.? The inaugural AFL game at Kansas City's
Kemper Arena on Saturday night between the Nashville Kats
and Florida Bobcats drew 7,967 (K.C. STAR, 7/26).
