MEDIA NOTES

          In L.A., Earl Gustkey notes sources who indicate that
     the ABL is "very close" to a network TV deal which will give
     ABL games exposure in over 50 million homes.  The deal could
     be announced in two weeks (L.A. TIMES, 8/1)....CA-based
     First Virtual Holdings' VirtualPIN payment technology will
     be implemented on ESPN SportsZone (First Virtual Holdings).
     ...MLS ratings on ESPN are down 17% from last year and down
     36% on ESPN2. Network execs said that reasons include the
     "buzz" tied to last year's rookie season has "softened," and
     the MetroStars and Galaxy -- in the nation's two largest
     media markets -- have gotten off to "poor starts" (CABLE
     WORLD, 7/28)....ESPN reached a long-term agreement with
     DirecTV for distribution of ESPNEWS Network in the DirecTV
     programming lineup beginning Aug. 10.  ESPNEWS now reaches
     approximately five million homes (ESPN).