NBA LOCKOUT, PART I: FOX'S EYES SHYING AWAY FROM NEW LEAGUE?

          CBS and Fox Sports "have contacted" NBA player agents
     about broadcasting exhibition games during the lockout, but
     the chances that a players league will replace the NBA "even
     on an interim basis seem very slim," according to Mike Wise
     of the N.Y. TIMES.  Wise wrote that the networks "have their
     reasons for wanting to start such a league," but there are
     "hurdles, including the financial commitment that would be
     required of CBS and Fox, both of which recently paid a
     bundle" to secure NFL TV rights.  Former CBS President Neal
     Pilson: "There's no way these networks would put up the kind
     of money necessary to start a league.  These two networks
     are having enough trouble selling their sports inventory
     already" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/5).  In Philadelphia, Mike Bruton
     wrote that in addition to owning 40% of the Lakers and 27%
     of the Knicks, News Corp.'s Fox Sports Net has regional
     cable TV deals with more than 75% of NBA teams.  Bruton:
     "Sports fans, that makes Fox an NBA owner.  Since the
     league's owners and players are in the midst of a lockout
     ... Fox can't do anything with players, including playing
     exhibition games."  Bruton added that, "As for CBS, anything
     is possible.  But with carrying the overhead" of $4B over
     the next eight years to carry the NFL, having to pay NBA
     players could get "a little pricey" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 7/3).