TV MONITOR: Last night's 10:00pm ET 60-minute edition
of FSN's "National Sports Report" led with 49ers WR Terrell
Owens being suspended and fined for his actions during
Sunday's 49ers-Cowboys game, followed by reactions to the
Jets-Bucs game. The first non-NFL report, at 4:15 into the
broadcast, was White Sox-Indians. "NSR" reported on the
Olympics 12:13 and had 6:21 of total Olympic coverage. Last
night's 11:00pm ET 30-minute edition of CNN/SI's "Sports
Tonight" led with White Sox-Indians, followed by Twins-
Indians. The first non-MLB report, at 4:40, was Celtics F
Paul Pierce being stabbed outside a Boston club. "Sports
Tonight" reported on the Olympics at 6:35 and had 4:04 of
total Olympic coverage. Last night's 12:00am ET 60-minute
edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" also led with White Sox-
Indians, followed by Twins-Indians. The first non-MLB
report, at 7:57, was Pierce. "SportsCenter" reported on the
Olympics at 24:34 and had 3:04 of total Olympic coverage.
MONDAY NIGHT: ABC's broadcast of last night's Jags-
Colts game earned a 11.4/18 overnight Nielsen rating, down
19% from last year's 14.1/23 for Bills-Dolphins (THE DAILY).
In Indianapolis, Marc Allan writes that "MNF"'s Al Michaels,
Dan Fouts and Dennis Miller "were on top" of their game last
night: "After two months together, they now seem to
understand each other's rhythms and roles. ... Fouts'
insider analysis was solid" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/26).
NOTES: ESPN and ESPN2 will feature six telecasts of
"NHL Rules!" this season, beginning Friday, October 27, with
the Penguins-Rangers (ESPN)....Washington, DC's all-news
WTOP-AM will drop the Orioles after 22 years of broadcasting
the team's games. Sports-talk WTEM-AM Operations Manager
Ted Castleberry said his station "absolutely interested in
the Orioles" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/26)....Bucs WR Keyshawn
Johnson "accused" CNN/SI and CNN/SI reporter Josie Karp of
"going out of their way to attack him and make him look bad
in the eyes of his teammates, coaches and front office
staff." CNN/SI showed film of Johnson making an obscene
gesture to the camera. Johnson: "It hurts their
relationship in the future. When you burn me, it's going to
hurt you more than it hurts me" (ST. PETE TIMES, 9/26).
