NBA: TSN, which lost Canadian NHL cable rights to CTV
Sports Net, is "favoured to outbid" CTVSN for rights to
regional Maple Leafs games. Rights to Raptors games "could
be part of the cable package" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/24).
...NBC VP/Communications Ed Markey termed reports that NBA
analyst Isiah Thomas may be released "complete fabrications"
(TORONTO STAR, 4/24)...."The Sports Jerks NBA Tour," a half-
hour, weekly show produced by NBAE and Jersey Films, will
debut in May on Comedy Central. The show is centered around
hosts Tommy T. and Barry D.'s visits with NBA teams each
week. Comedy Central has ordered six episodes (NBAE).
NOTES: The NFL Cardinals awarded radio rights for the
next three seasons to Sandusky Radio, which will simulcast
the team's games on KSLX-FM and KDUS-AM (ARIZONA REPUBLIC,
4/24)....TVKO has reached a multi-fight agreement for PPV
distribution of fights featuring Julio Cesar Chavez (TVKO).
....ESPN's "SportsCenter" will broadcast its 20,000th
edition Sunday, May 17 at 11:00pm ET. The special 90-minute
show will be anchored by Chris Berman, Dan Patrick and Bob
Ley. In conjunction, Smithsonian Associates, a division of
the Smithsonian Institute, will host an informal panel on
the inner workings of "SportsCenter" on May 19 (ESPN).
WEB: The Cubs have chosen RealNetworks Real Broadcast
Network to carry its games from its official Web site,
www.cubs.com (Cubs)....The Tigers unveiled their new Web
site, www.detroittigers.com. RealAudio will broadcast
Tigers games on the site (Tigers)....The MLS Revolution
unveiled its Web site, nerevolution.com (Revolution).
