LOCAL SPORTS HUBS SEEN AS KEY TO TRIBUNE/TIMES MIRROR DEAL

          One strategy of the Tribune Co.'s purchase of Times
     Mirror Co. "is already becoming clear: the development of a
     network of content-rich local sports sites in major
     markets," according to Noah Liberman of the SPORTSBUSINESS
     JOURNAL, who reports that Tribune Interactive, the Tribune
     Co.'s Web unit, "will launch ChicagoSports.com this spring,
     offering "comprehensive coverage of local sports at all
     levels."  The site has been in development since "long
     before the merger, but it will be a prototype for a broad,
     postmerger effort."  The site will use the resources of the
     Tribune's  Chicago Tribune, WGN-TV and WGN-AM, along with
     cable station CLTV and "other local news providers," in
     covering area sports from the pro level "down to preps." 
     Sponsorships of the site "are being pitched," including
     inventory on other Tribune media properties, but no deals
     are set to be announced (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/20).