Media Notes

NBA: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick reported ABC/ESPN "is prepared to make a strong play to unseat NBC and/or TNT/TBS for national TV rights to the NBA" (N.Y. POST, 12/2). In a separate piece, Mushnick reports that before Saturday's Magic-Wizards telecast, NBC "had Michael Jordan in sit-down Q&A with — surprise! — Ahmad Rashad." Mushnick writes Rashad has a "credibility-killing kinship" with Jordan and adds, "That both NBC and Rashad see fit to continue along this path doesn't say much for either's regard for their audiences" (N.Y. POST, 12/3). But in Atlanta, Prentis Rogers: "If NBC executives wanted sizzle in the NBA studio, they've got it. Dull will never be used again to describe NBC's studio show with Jayson Williams, Pat Croce and Mike Fratello" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 12/3).

NOTES: Disney Chair & CEO Michael Eisner introduced last night's airing of the "Brian's Song" remake on ABC (THE DAILY)...Marlins TV announcer Dave O'Brien "is being courted by ESPN for a fulltime announcing position. ESPN is interested in having O'Brien do a 90-plus package of [MLB], college basketball and football games." O'Brien has three years remaining on his contract with the Marlins and FSN (SUN-SENTINEL, 11/30). ...Univ. of AZ football coach John Mackovic, on allowing ESPN access to his team for a documentary this season: "I feel comfortable that this isn't a snow job. Here we are. This is what happens in college football. Would I do it again? Yes" (AZ DAILY STAR, 12/2).