The Yankees are "experiencing a viewer crisis," as the
team's ratings are "dramatically down" from last season,
according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS, who wrote
that the timing "couldn't be worse" because YankeeNets execs
are "attempting to put the final pieces together for
financing" a new RSN. Through June 7 on MSG, the Yankees
have averaged a 2.78 rating, down 32% from the 4.10 rating
the team averaged through June 7, 1999. Meanwhile, the Mets
are averaging a 1.95 rating on FSNY, down 9% from the 2.11
rating from the same time period a year ago. Raissman:
"What has to be concerning [MLB] ... is this dramatic
dropoff of TV interest in a city that is generally perceived
to be the capital of the game" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/11).
WILL HE BE A THRILLER? The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's
Andy Bernstein reports that YankeeNets execs said "they are
moving ahead with plans" for their RSN to be on the air by
April 1, 2001, with 24-hour coverage of N.Y.-area teams.
Meanwhile, former Turner Sports exec Michael Jackson has
joined YankeeNets. Jackson will assist new Nets President
of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn "with the reorganization"
of the team "and then shift his responsibilities" to the
proposed RSN (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/12 issue).