BETTER SOONER THAN LATER, OU SIGNS EXPANSIVE MEDIA DEAL

          Univ. of OK (OU) administrators approved an
     "unprecedented" four-year, $7.45M broadcasting and
     advertising deal with Sooner Sports Properties, a "joint
     venture" of MO-based Leerfield Communications and OK-based
     Renda Broadcasting and Griffin Television, according to Jim
     Killackey of the DAILY OKLAHOMAN.  The school regents
     recently approved a plan to direct an additional $1M into
     university athletic programs by 2003.  OU administrators
     will decide on "on-air talent," as there have been "no
     negotiations or decisions" on whether longtime announcer Bob
     Barry Sr. will continue to do play-by-play for OU football
     and basketball games.  The deal, which has an option to
     renew for three more years, includes coaches' shows and
     coverage of the school's "minor" sports (OKLAHOMAN, 12/11).