ABL SET TO TREK TO UPN? MAYBE, BUT FOX ISN'T INTERESTED

          The ABL "is close to a time-buy deal with UPN" that
     would bring the league "some needed national exposure,"
     according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK.  UPN would put the
     games on Saturday afternoons.  ABL CEO Gary Cavalli "would
     neither confirm, nor comment on the negotiations."  In
     addition, the ABL "is seeking additional exposure for its
     upcoming season through an ad hoc network of PBS stations
     that would air ABL games for little or no charge."  The ABL
     was on BET and Fox Sports Net last year (BRANDWEEK, 6/29). 
     Cavalli is quoted in the HARTFORD COURANT as saying, "We're
     very close to a TV deal.  We'll hope to announce something
     in two to four weeks."  The league had "tried to induce Fox
     to buy a broadcast-partial ownership package, which the
     network turned down."  Fox Sports Senior VP/Media Relations
     Vince Wladika: "They've come to us three times with a
     prospectus and we've told them no" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/30).