CBS PONDERING SELLING NCAA RIGHTS ITSELF OR GO BACK TO HOST

          After ISL Worldwide's BOD turned down a plan to acquire
     marketing rights to NCAA's basketball tournament and other
     championship events from CBS for "about" $1B, the network
     said it will keep the rights "in-house or negotiate a
     contract extension" with Host Communications, which
     previously marketed NCAA championships, according to Scott
     Newman of BLOOMBERG NEWS.  CBS Sports President Sean
     McManus: "There's been a group of people at CBS who wanted
     to keep the marketing rights right here, and that may be the
     best way to go.  We're going to make some decision by the
     end of the year."  The marketing rights include "permission
     to sell radio broadcasts, corporate sponsorships, and use of
     NCAA trademark in Final Four promotions."  ISL outbid Host
     for the rights, and its offer of close to $1B was "about a
     six-fold annual increase for marketing rights to NCAA
     events."  Host withdrew from bidding, stating it would have
     lost too much money if it had matched (BLOOMBERG, 11/20).