ESPN "could pull out of its" TV deal with the America's
Cup, which is "not yet signed," in "protest" of Fox Sports
Net's (FSN) sponsorship of the New York Yacht Club's Young
America, according to Barbara Lloyd of the N.Y. TIMES. ESPN
Exec Producer Geoffrey Mason: "This is [obviously] a serious
situation and we're in the process of reviewing all our
options." Barry Frank, IMG Senior Group VP, who negotiated
ESPN's deal for America's Cup, said that ESPN "probably
won't" pull out of the deal, but added that FSN's deal is a
"classic case of ambush marketing." Frank: "I don't think
ESPN will be exactly rooting for Young America." But Fox
Sports Senior VP/Media Relations Vince Wladika said, "I fail
to see why ESPN would be bent out of shape. This kind of
thing happens every day on sports television." Lloyd wrote
that FSN's deal has "also angered sailors, who blame" the
N.Y. Yacht Club for "jeopardizing" the ESPN relationship.
But Young America President John Marshall said it is "in
ESPN's best interest to have an event sponsored by companies
... with good communication skills, and are activists in
promoting the America's Cup" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/24).
