"Who will own SportsChannel and Sunshine a year from
now is anybody's guess," according to Barry Jackson of the
MIAMI HERALD, but among the most "realistic" scenarios has
ESPN acquiring SportsChannel, and Fox Sports Net purchasing,
or aligning with, Sunshine. Jackson: "But Fox Sports Net
also is interested in SportsChannel, and may attempt to
block ESPN's purchase." ESPN "has shown the most interest"
in acquiring Wayne Huizenga's 70% stake in SportsChannel,
and could use the network to carry ESPNEWS "parts of the
day." SportsChannel, which currently airs CNN/SI part of
the day, has Marlins and D'Rays rights through 2002 and the
Panthers through 2002-03. Jackson adds that Fox Sports Net
could "enter the bidding," as its partner in Fox Sports Net,
Cablevision, owns the other 30% of SportsChannel, and "might
try to exercise a right-to-match clause on behalf of Fox."
Fox also "might walk away and concentrate on acquiring
Sunshine." Sunshine holds rights to the Heat, Magic and
Lightning. Jackson notes that Sunshine execs would like to
see Fox buy SportsChannel and Sunshine, and have a Fox
Sports Florida 1 and 2 (MIAMI HERALD, 8/1).
BOWL-ED OVER: SportsChannel FL reached a three-year
deal with the Orange Bowl as exclusive RSN of the Orange
Bowl and all related programming (SportsChannel).
