TV MONITOR: Last night's 10:00pm ET 60-minute edition
of FSN's "National Sports Report" led with the Rockies-Mets
doubleheader, followed by a PGA Championship preview. "NSR"
had 1:25 of total NFL coverage. Last night's 11:00pm ET 60-
minute edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" also led with the
Rockies-Mets doubleheader, followed by Padres-Braves. The
first non-MLB report, at 12:27, was an injury update on
Packers RB Dorsey Levens. "SportsCenter" had 10:17 of total
NFL coverage. Last night's 11:00pm ET 30-minute edition of
CNN/SI's "Sports Tonight" was pre-empted on CNN by coverage
of the Democratic National Convention (THE DAILY).
NOTES: USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke writes "despite the
prospect of UPN network folding because of the sale of eight
Chris-Craft TV stations to Fox," UPN Senior VP Paul McGuire
said that "UPN still plans to televise XFL games Sunday
nights from February-April," as the purchase of the station
by News Corp. "probably won't be complete before June" (USA
TODAY, 8/16)....MSNBC anchor Ashleigh Banfield will serve as
one of NBC's Sports Desk Reporters during the 2000 Games.
Banfield will report on breaking news, as well as features
around the Games (NBC)....In Chicago, Jeff Vorva wrote that
Cubs TV analyst Steve Stone, who has been "battling a number
of health problems, is taking some more time off, and
whether he will be able to return this season is in
question." Stone will miss "at least the current series"
against the Cardinals and the subsequent road trips to AZ
and Houston. Stone is in this 18th season with the team
(DAILY SOUTHTOWN, 8/15)....In N.Y., Rich Cimini previews the
"soon-to-be-released" book by Jets President of Operations
Bill Parcells. In the book, titled "The Final Season,"
Parcells "sounds off on a variety of issues" (N.Y. DAILY
NEWS, 8/16)....Chicago Tribune sports columnist Bernie
Lincicome has left the newspaper after more than 16 years to
become the "top sports columnist" at the Rocky Mountain News
in Denver (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 8/16).
