The cover story in the current issue of BROADCASTING &
CABLE is "TV Sports Rights: Going Once, Twice..." The
feature, by Steve McClellan, chronicles the current TV
sports landscape, complete with details on rights fees
packages for all the major sports properties. McClellan:
"Insiders say formal talks on the NFL TV deals (for seasons
1998 and beyond) will start in late summer and probably
finish by year's end, after the incumbents' negotiating
window expires on Oct. 1." The timing on the NBA package,
also expiring after the '97-98 season, "isn't as clear as it
is for the NFL talks; roundball negotiations may heat up
after the football deals are made" (B&C, 4/28).
FOOTBALL FEVER: Regarding the NFL package, one network
exec said, "The way it works is, the NFL goes to the
incumbents and says: 'OK, this is the number we're looking
for, for you to keep your package. Do you want to pay?'"
NFL rights fees in '93 "were driven by Fox's desire to raise
its profile and distribution through football" which led to
Fox doubling what CBS had been paying in rights fees to
$395M a year for the NFC package. CBS Sports President Sean
McManus told B&C that "the stakes have gotten so much
higher, I'm not sure we could justify the kind of increase
Fox justified last time" (B&C, 4/28).
NBA ACTION: B&C's McClellan: "NBA and incumbent-
broadcaster sources say those partners are making money and
are content with one another. Indeed, the league's comfort
level with its partners meant as much as the money in the
last rights go-round -- ESPN is said to have offered a
higher price for the cable package that was retained by
Turner." ESPN and Fox are possible NBA bidders "but Turner
is determined to keep its package" (B&C, 4/28).
