CELTICS EYEING DEAL WITH WABU, SEEING MORE GREEN IN LONG-RUN

          A deal between the Celtics and WABU-TV to telecast the
     team's road games "is in the final stages, and if it is
     completed, it will make the Boston University-owned station
     more valuable to potential buyers," according to Howard
     Manly of the BOSTON GLOBE.  A one- to three-year deal "also
     would give the Celtics time to improve before negotiating a
     longer, more lucrative contract."  Fox has offered the team
     a 10-year deal for games on Fox Sports NE, but execs "balked
     over the contract's length," as the team is "worth more to
     television carriers if it is winning."  WABU President
     Robert Gordon "declined comment."  WABU has been on the
     market for "at least three years," but the $40M asking price
     "appears to be too high."  Acquiring the Celtics would give
     the station "a much-needed asset" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/16).