BOSTON GLOBE QUESTIONS WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY COVERAGE

     Game Three of the World Cup of Hockey was seen in less than
2% of the homes in the Greater Boston region, according to Jack
Craig of the BOSTON GLOBE.  World Cup of Hockey Manager Dir Susie
Mathieu said it was "a tough call" to sell event rights to Fox
and its cable connection over ESPN, which may have placed most
games on ESPN2.  Craig: "In theory, the variety of Fox
distribution outlets made the Cup action available in half of
American homes, while ESPN2 penetrates just over one-third. In
fact, ESPN would have promoted coverage to a captive sport
audience, which is crucial when you're staging an event out of
season."  Craig adds this was a case when U.S. TV rights,
"slightly less that $500,000, didn't carry much leverage."  Craig
concludes "most American hockey fans apparently underestimated
the passion of the players representing their country. ...
Overall, the hockey was superb, leaving rink rats who missed it
dismayed" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/17).