AVP Mimics AFL With NBC & FSN Partnerships

NBC and Fox Sports Net today will announce that they have become minority shareholders in the AVP. The deal resembles NBC's deal with the AFL, as no rights fee is involved. That is music to NBC Chair & CEO Bob Wright's ears, who just days ago trumpeted the fact that "The Olympic Network" is on target for its best year ever, due in part to its withdrawal from big-time sports programming and its attendant rights fees. FSN plans to create shoulder programming, while NBC will provide a boost to an Olympic sport and its stars.

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