Fox execs have talked to NBPA officials "about airing a
schedule of an NBA Players League games" in the event of an
NBA lockout, according to Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY
NEWS. Raissman, who cites an NBPA source, reported that CBS
"has also had talks with representatives of the players."
While a players' league is viewed by both networks as
"attractive programming," one of the "primary reasons
driving Fox and CBS is" NBA Commissioner David Stern, who
"appears to be supporting" NBC and Turner Sports' plan to
create a new pro football league. The NBPA source: "[News
Corp. Chair Rupert] Murdoch plays hardball. If Mr. Stern is
going to play cozy with this proposed new football league
Murdoch will try and burn him" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/21). USA
TODAY's Michael Hiestand also reports on CBS's and Fox's
interest. Fox Sports Senior VP/Media Relations Vince
Wladika "declined comment" on the report (USA TODAY, 6/22).
ONE NERVOUS NETWORK? In N.Y., Mitch Lawrence reported
that during the NBA Finals, NBC Sports Chair Dick Ebersol
met for a half-hour "behind closed doors" with Bulls GM
Jerry Krause. Lawrence: "Any chance Michael Jordan's name
came up in that conversation?" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/21).
BRINGING HOME THE CANADIAN BACON: In Toronto, Chris
Zelkovich reported on the ratings of sports broadcasts
throughout Canada and wrote that the demos of the NBA's
ratings show that the game, which draws "low audiences" on
TSN and CTV, "attracts a high number of the young male
viewers who watch televised sports." CTV Sports VP Doug
Beeforth: "The NBA doesn't approach Hockey Night in Canada
numbers, but among the 18-to-24 age group, it's strong, if
not stronger, than hockey" (TORONTO STAR, 6/21).
