Report Has Modest Increase For NBA In Cable TV Rights Fees

When TV negotiations for the NBA conclude, Turner "likely will pay close to $1[B], a modest increase on its expiring 4-year, $890[M] cable deal, in order to keep aggressive ESPN from the package," according to USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke. NBC, "with no apparent broadcast network competition, figures to keep its rights fee near its current 4-year, $1.75[B] price." Martzke writes, "The networks would keep prices stable while the NBA would stave off a rights fee decline after more than a one-third drop in TV ratings" (USA TODAY, 11/9).

CORRECTION: Multiple reports yesterday incorrectly stated the Bulls have not been on NBC since Michael Jordan left in '98. The Bulls were on the net twice in the past four seasons and on TNT twice (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 11/9).