The Redskins have made WRC-NBC the team's "official
station" for four preseason games and a scrimmage against
the Steelers this summer, according to Leonard Shapiro of
the WASHINGTON POST, who writes the move ends a six-year
relationship with WJLA-ABC. Sources indicate the two-year
deal calls for WRC to pay the team between $2M-2.5M for the
package, an increase over WJLA's $1.8M payment for last
season's games. The agreement handles only the "games and
scrimmage," and "does not include any other programming."
However, it does allow WRC to "do Redskins specials if
warranted during the season." The agreement also calls for
the Redskins to handle the sale of all in-game preseason
ads, while WRC will handle ad sales for pre- and post-game
programming. Redskins Senior VP Mark Burdett added that
team Owner Daniel Snyder "might be available under the right
circumstances to make a separate deal with a radio or TV
station for regular appearances, either after games or on
Mondays." Burdett: "Mr. Snyder is trying to organize his
schedule so he can make himself available to a media partner
on a full-time basis" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/30).
