BROADCAST NEWS: HORNETS' RADIO DEAL HAS THEM PAYING FOR TIME

          The Hornets and WBT-AM reached a one-year deal which
     for the station to broadcast Hornets games, according to
     David Scott of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER.  Instead of renewing
     the barter-based contract, that expired after last season,
     in which WBT "gave the Hornets air time in exchange for"
     publicity, the team now will pay the station "an undisclosed
     amount" to broadcast games.  While the deal awaits final
     approval by the Hornets, team VP/Broadcast Operations Steve
     Martin, said, "We're basically buying the time.  What we
     used to get for free, we're now buying."  Scott: "Sagging
     ratings for the team over the past few seasons, as well as
     the timing of the contract negotiations, suggest the Hornets
     were not dealing from a position of strength."  The Hornets,
     who control and receive all revenue from advertising on
     their radio and TV broadcasts, have been on WBT since the
     team's inception in '88 (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/27).