FOX HUNTING FOR NHL BID EXTENSION, CLAIMING INCOMPLETE DATA

          Fox "is seeking" an extension beyond tonight's midnight
     deadline to match ABC's $250M bid for NHL broadcast TV
     rights, according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES.  
     Fox "feels it did not get complete data on ABC's bid upon
     which to base its decision," and sent the NHL a letter
     requesting an extension "of several days."  Sandomir writes
     that the dispute "could end up in court."  He adds that it
     is "unlikely" that FSN and FX will enter "the cable fray"
     and try to outbid ESPN/ESPN2's $350M offer to renew its
     contract (N.Y. TIMES, 8/14).  USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke
     reports that Fox officials "want assurance" that the ABC
     portion of Disney's $650M bid was for $250M and "not less." 
     Martzke adds that the ESPN deal "could be announced as early
     as Monday" (Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY, 8/14).