The NBA and ESPN Internet Group reached a multi-year
agreement in which they will continue to co-produce NBA.com,
the NBA's official Web site. NBA.com's content will be
linked to related features on ESPN SportsZone, and the two
will work to cross-promote each other's content (NBA).
BLOOMBERG BUSINESS NEWS' Scott Newman reports that the
agreement "comes as competition for rights to sports
Internet sites are at all-time highs." While the NFL
received $10M for its three-year deal with ESPN, Jupiter
Communications analyst Patrick Keane said that the NBA
"probably didn't receive as much." NBA President/TV and New
Media Ventures Ed Desser "wouldn't comment on the terms" of
the multi-year agreement (BLOOMBERG BUSINESS NEWS, 6/23).
SPORTSLINE'S NEW LOOK: CBS SportsLine launches its
redesigned Web site today, and SportsLine USA President &
CEO Michael Levy tells browsers that two improved areas of
the site are "speed and navigation," as well as "faster,
easier paths" to SportsLine's content, promos, merchandise,
fantasy products and other features. Levy: "As a result,
the 'new' CBS SportsLine reflects design and technical
improvements to ensure quicker page downloads" (THE DAILY).