MAPLE LEAF SPORTS EYEING ACQUISITION OF CTV SPORTSNET?

          Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is "looking into
     buying" CTV SportsNet "if federal regulators order CTV to
     sell off" the network, according to Chris Zelkovich of the
     TORONTO STAR, who cites sources who say that the company is
     "considering setting up their own sports broadcasting
     empire."  One industry source: "It makes a lot of sense. 
     The Leafs would control their own broadcasts and could
     probably build a profitable southern Ontario regional sports
     network."  Sources indicate that the net "could include" the
     Leafs, Raptors, Argos, NLL Rock, CFL Tiger-Cats, "a possible
     WNBA team" and smaller regional TV packages.  Zelkovich
     writes that the "key to the deal" would be the Leafs'
     reclaiming "their regional TV rights" from TSN, which signed
     a six-year deal last season.  CTV acquired TSN's NetStar
     Communications, and industry speculation is that Canadian
     regulators "will demand that CTV sell off" SportsNet to
     "avoid a sports broadcasting monopoly" (TORONTO STAR, 7/20).