TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN: EX-WAC SCHOOLS INK DEAL WITH ESPN

          Representatives of the Mountain West Conference have
     "tentatively agreed" on a TV deal with ESPN worth "about"
     $48M over seven years, according to Michael Lewis of the
     SALT LAKE TRIBUNE.  The deal, which "still requires a legal
     review and official signing," would "nearly triple" each
     school's current annual TV revenue.  As part of the WAC, the
     schools -- Utah, BYU, CO State, S.D. State, Air Force,
     Wyoming, New Mexico and UNLV -- have been receiving about
     $300,000 a year under the current deal.  Under the new deal,
     each school would receive about $850,000 annually.  MWC
     teams will be featured in three Thursday night football
     games on ESPN, two others on ABC, and seven men's basketball
     games on ESPN's "Big Monday" tripleheaders.  In related
     news, MWC Commissioner Craig Thompson said that the MWC "has
     narrowed its search for a home to the league office" to CO
     Springs and Las Vegas (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 11/21).