NBA LOCKOUT, PART I: FOX'S EYES SHYING AWAY FROM NEW LEAGUE?
CBS and Fox Sports "have contacted" NBA player agents
about broadcasting exhibition games during the lockout, but
the chances that a players league will replace the NBA "even
on an interim basis seem very slim," according to Mike Wise
of the N.Y. TIMES. Wise wrote that the networks "have their
reasons for wanting to start such a league," but there are
"hurdles, including the financial commitment that would be
required of CBS and Fox, both of which recently paid a
bundle" to secure NFL TV rights. Former CBS President Neal
Pilson: "There's no way these networks would put up the kind
of money necessary to start a league. These two networks
are having enough trouble selling their sports inventory
already" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/5). In Philadelphia, Mike Bruton
wrote that in addition to owning 40% of the Lakers and 27%
of the Knicks, News Corp.'s Fox Sports Net has regional
cable TV deals with more than 75% of NBA teams. Bruton:
"Sports fans, that makes Fox an NBA owner. Since the
league's owners and players are in the midst of a lockout
... Fox can't do anything with players, including playing
exhibition games." Bruton added that, "As for CBS, anything
is possible. But with carrying the overhead" of $4B over
the next eight years to carry the NFL, having to pay NBA
players could get "a little pricey" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 7/3).
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