NFL SATELLITE PLAN CHALLENGED ON PRICE-FIXING ALLEGATIONS

          The NFL Sunday Ticket satellite plan "has been
     challenged on price-fixing allegations in a federal lawsuit
     filed in Philadelphia," according to Joseph Slobodzian of
     the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER.  The suit states that when the
     NFL was given a broadcast antitrust exemption by Congress in
     '61, satellite transmission was not covered because it did
     not exist.  The class-action antitrust suit was filed by
     eight law firms around the U.S., who contend that the NFL
     "can set whatever price it wants for" the service.  Howard
     Sedran, a lead lawyer in the suit, said that if successful,
     the suit "could encourage increased competition in the
     satellite transmission of NFL games -- and lower prices." 
     NFL VP/Communications Greg Aiello: "We are confident this
     lawsuit has no merit and will be promptly resolved in our
     favor.  These issues were carefully considered in the
     process of developing Sunday Ticket, and in our view Sunday
     Ticket offers very good value" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 7/31).