In Baltimore, Milton Kent on ESPN Magazine: "[I]f the
debut issue is an accurate harbinger, the magazine will be
an interesting addition to the sports publishing landscape"
(SUN, 3/17). TIME's Richard Zoglin wrote that ESPN Magazine
"is so distinct in look and approach that it hardly seems to
be playing the same game -- which, of course, is the point"
(TIME, 3/23)....E.J. Krause is "among those interested" in
acquiring THE SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY. Other "reported
suitors" are ESPN and CBS SportsLine (BRANDWEEK, 3/16)....
Trail Blazers radio play-by-play voice Bill Schonely will
call his 2,500th game tonight (AP/ESPN SportsZone, 3/17).
...ESPN asked the Devil Rays to move their season opener up
to 3:00pm ET so it could televise the game, but Rays Owner
Vince Naimoli "refused," since the 5:00pm ET game is being
shown on local TV, and he "wants that prime-time viewing
audience" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/15)....NESN will cover at
least 15 Pawtucket (AAA) Red Sox games this season
(NESN)....TSN has renewed its TV deal with the Canadian
Curling Assn. through 2004. A renewed deal with the World
Curling Federation "is also expected soon." In Canada,
curling "gets better ratings than the NHL"(OTTAWA SUN,3/14).
