In N.Y., Sandomir & Chozick cite sources as saying that News Corp.'s effort to purchase up to 49% of YES Network would provide the company “a route to eventual control of YES -- an option would exist in three
to five years for the company to increase its investment to as much as
80 percent.” But “at that point, the price would be based on a valuation
of at least $3.5 billion.” If News Corp.
“acquires the majority of the network, YES could turn into a more
conventional, less-biased sports network.” The deal could “also include
other payments to the Yankees, including higher rights fees” (N.Y. TIMES, 11/19).
SAY WHAT? CBS college basketball analyst Seth Davis yesterday tweeted about UFC 154, which was held Saturday in Montreal. Davis: “Looking on news sites showing picture of two muscular bloody men in homoerotic fighting pose. … Maybe I'm a prude on this but I'm also a dad. I don't mind my sons watching boxing, but I wouldn't want them watching a UFC bout.” In N.Y., Marc Raimondi wrote Davis is “a good parent” and is “very good at what he does, one of the best college hoops reporters out there.” However, he “lowered himself to the least common denominator with these comments” (NYPOST.com, 11/18).
FEELING GOOD: In Houston, David Barron noted Astros TV analyst Jim Deshaies yesterday said that he had “’good meetings’ with officials in Chicago about becoming the Cubs’ TV analyst on WGN and Comcast SportsNet Chicago and will wait and see if he is offered the job before deciding whether to leave Houston or to work toward a new contract calling Astros games.” Deshaies said that he has been told by Astros President George Postolos the team “would like him back” in ’13 when the team’s broadcasts move from FS Houston to CSN Houston (CHRON.com, 11/18).
BIGGER AUDIENCE: CBS Radio on Friday said that Boston-based WBZ-FM’s Damon Amendolara “will host the network’s weekday overnight show," which will debut Jan. 2. In Boston, Ira Kantor noted “The D.A. Show” will be “heard on select stations in 12 major U.S. cities from 2 a.m.-6 a.m. on air, streaming online and through the Radio.com application for mobile devices.” Amendolara served as WBZ-AM’s evening host “since the station’s launch” in August ’09 (BOSTONHERALD.com, 11/16). Also in Boston, Chad Finn noted Amendolara’s “affable if increasingly contrarian style and catchphrases such as ‘the mothership has connected, welcome aboard’ won him a loyal young audience” (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 11/16).
