NHL SAYS IT'S NOT SURPRISED BY ABC'S SCALED-BACK TV SCHEDULE

          ABC Sports announced its plans to air "just four days
     of NHL coverage next season -- the minimum required under
     its agreement with the league."  The "NHL on Fox" had 11
     broadcasts this past season.  NHL Exec VP Steve Solomon said
     the league understood the network's decision: "Frankly, it's
     been very, very difficult for regular season games to
     demonstrate their importance on over-the-air network
     television, week in and week out" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 5/8).  In
     St. Petersburg, Tom Jones wrote that ABC's decision means
     Disney spent $600M "to beef up hockey on ESPN and ESPN2." 
     Pilson Communications President Neal Pilson: "Disney did
     this deal for ESPN and mostly ESPN2.  Not for the good of
     the NHL."  Jones: "Good news for the league: more money for
     its TV deal.  Bad news: less exposure.  And the bad news is
     worse than the good news is good" (ST. PETE TIMES, 5/9).