In Hartford, Don Amore writes that ESPN "is aware" of
the controversy surrounding their selection of O.J. Simpson
as the 49th greatest North American athlete of the 20th
century as part of its "SportsCentury" series. ESPN Senior
VP & Exec Editor John Walsh called the program "a challenge.
There was a lot of discussion as we produced the show, what
elements needed to be in it. But it came down to: This is a
show we have to do, let's attack it" (HARTFORD COURANT,
1/28)....In Philadelphia, Stan Hochman interviews film
product Mike Tollin, who's "Varsity Blues" was recently
labeled "a trashy little movie" by the L.A. Times. Tollin:
"I don't know what it says about America. But we won't ask
too many questions." The next project for Marquee-
Tollin/Robbins is a feature film on the life of former
Eagles Owner Leonard Tose. Tollin: "The script is almost
finished" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/28)....The WASHINGTON
POST debuted color photographs in its sports section today
(WASHINGTON POST, 1/28)....First quarter earnings for Walt
Disney Co. dropped 18% as "high costs" continued to "hurt
the company's broadcasting division," particularly ABC and
ESPN's $9B NFL TV deal. The broadcasting unit's operating
income fell 48% to $265M (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/28).
...Marv Albert, on his return to radio to do Knicks play-by-
play: "I am so looking forward to the return ... and I've
always enjoyed the radio side. Of course, I've done hockey
in recent years, but basketball on radio to me is just so
thrilling to think of doing it again" (MSG, 1/27).
