By partnering with NBC, the XFL has "shifted from long
shot to sure thing," according to DAILY VARIETY's John
Dempsey, who calls the agreement a "surprise," as earlier
reports had XFL rights being pursued by Viacom/CBS. But WWF
Chair Vince McMahon said yesterday that he's "still
negotiating" with Viacom/CBS over a "possible second
primetime game, this one on UPN." Still, other sources say
that the USA Network "is ready to give the XFL a primetime
slot in the middle of the week and one or two weekend
afternoon berths" (DAILY VARIETY, 3/30). WWF Canada
President Carl DeMarco said yesterday that he "received
several calls from Canadian network executives seeking to
simulcast XFL games." CFL President Jeff Giles, on the
XFL/NBC deal: "I would never have expected [the XFL] would
have a deal with NBC. With this deal their credibility and
legitimacy have been markedly improved" (TORONTO SUN, 3/30).
REAX: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir writes that the XFL
received a "mammoth injection of credibility" with
yesterday's deal and notes that the "close" connection
between McMahon and Ebersol "goes back to the mid-1980's
when Ebersol produced a wrestling show on NBC that helped
make [McMahon] wealthy." Robert Igiel, President for the
broadcast division of Y&R's Media Edge, on the future of the
XFL: "Of all the things we don't need is more football. I
don't care what McMahon has to do with it. It may be an
interesting experiment to observe, or McMahon will make it a
travesty that won't be pretty to watch" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/30).
Pilson Communications President Neal Pilson: "They're going
to have to really work hard to get representative crowds at
the stadium, and I remain skeptical that there is a public
demand" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/30). The HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER's Greppi writes that analysts Wednesday "had a
mixed reaction to the deal." BBDO, N.Y., Senior VP/National
TV Buying Christopher Geraci: "I think they may be on to
something. We're always looking for things that can attract
the young-male demographic without some of the sensitive
content, if you will, that wrestling has" (HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER, 3/30). In N.Y., Bob Raissman: "[NBC] is rolling
the dice on the considerable marketing skills of McMahon.
... There is virtually no downside for McMahon. NBC is
another story. Becoming not only the broadcaster but a co-
owner of the league puts the network in a potential
conflict-of-interest position" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/30).
NEWSDAY's Steve Zipay: "For NBC ... the deal represents a
giant step toward edgier programming to attract the coveted
young male audience that the WWF delivers. For ... McMahon,
the alliance provides not only credibility and exposure, but
also assurances that the league will get off the ground"
(NEWSDAY, 3/30). In N.Y., Richard Huff writes, "The move is
a huge shot in the arm for the fledgling sports league."
STI President Jim Spence: "Maybe with NBC's involvement it
will also mean the nature of the league will be more
positive than I thought it would be" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS,
3/30). In Toronto, Stephen Brunt: "For sure, the XFL is for
real" (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/30). FSN's Keith Olbermann reported
last night that NBC partnered with the XFL, saying "the
football league from the same people who brought you, in my
opinion, the racist, sexist, homophobic World Wrestling
Federation, where women are 'hos' and 'bitches' and the word
'gay' is used as a profound insult." Olbermann, noting that
games will air in primetime: "Good, the eight-year-olds will
still be up so they can be taught intolerance and still get
to bed at a reasonable hour. I worked a year and a half
with NBC Sports and was damned proud of it. And now, I'm
damned ashamed of it. Why don't you just hand out
cigarettes to the kids?" ("Fox Sports News," FSN, 3/29).
