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Leagues and Governing Bodies

IS A-B SET TO STEP UP WITH MAJOR SPONSORSHIP OF AFL?

          The NFL's investment in the AFL brings the indoor
     football league the "promise of sponsorship, inroads to
     larger markets" and "greater bargaining power" with TV
     networks, according to Patrick Wampler of the ORLANDO
     SENTINEL, who writes the AFL is "about to hit the big time
     as it enters a merger with the NFL."  AFL revenues in '99
     are projected at $24M, and Predators President Brett Bouchy
     estimates that they will rise to $100M "within the first
     year" of the NFL's involvement.  Bouchy: "Budweiser wouldn't
     even talk to us a couple of months ago, but now they're
     probably going to come on as our first big sponsor.  Let's
     say Budweiser does come on and offers the league $2 million
     to be a sponsor.  That means we have a chance to make
     $300,000 of that amount [through revenue sharing]."  The
     league's TV deal with ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 is up at the end
     of this season and the "competion" among ESPN, TNT, Fox
     Sports Net and USA Network "should drive up the price." 
     Bouchy: "In the new contract we will look for rights fees
     and a better promotion package. I'm thinking stuff like a
     half-hour preview show during the playoffs."  AFL
     VP/Communications David Cooper: "Our first option will be to
     stay with ESPN and ABC" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/21).
          LOGO A SUITOR? In Indianapolis, Sean Horgan reports
     that the AFL is expected to announce today that it wants to
     place a franchise in Conseco Fieldhouse.  Pacers GM David
     Kahn said that the team "remains interested in the concept,
     but that it is far too early to discuss whether it would
     take an ownership stake in the team."  Colts Owner Jim Irsay
     "decided against" investing in the team, but sources said
     that Logo Athletic is "interested" (STAR-NEWS, 7/21).
          CASEY'S L.A. HOPES: In L.A., J.A. Adande profiled
     Avengers Owner Casey Wasserman, as the AFL returns to the
     L.A. market next season and will play its games at the
     Staples Center.  Wasserman wants "to reach out to the
     burgeoning Latino market, and even has Spanish versions of
     the team's insignia ... in the works" (L.A. TIMES, 7/20). 

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