CBC's "Hockey Night In Canada" will broadcast two NHL
games on Saturday night, but the Canadiens-Maple Leafs game
marking the grand opening of the Air Canada Centre, "may
not" be one of those games, according to Rob Longley of the
TORONTO SUN. A union strike by technicians resulted in CBC
trying to make plans to secure an ESPN2 feed of the Maple
Leafs game yesterday, but the idea was dropped "when ESPN
technicians indicated they would refuse to cross a CBC
picket line." CBC Dir of TV Promotions Chuck Thompson: "We
will have two hockey game on CBC ... at this time, we can't
confirm which games will be shown." In a release, Air
Canada Centre GM Bob Hunter stated CBC told arena execs that
"there will be no CBC employees on site" for tomorrow's
game. One industry source "confirmed" that TSN and CTV
SportsNet "have offered to produce and broadcast the game
with commercials already being sold by CBC." While CBC
officials "refused to comment on that scenario," a CTV
source said that negotiations were continuing (TORONTO SUN,
2/19). ESPN2, which will have a freelance crew in town to
broadcast the game to the U.S., is "having discussions with
the parties involved." ESPN2 spokesperson Diane Lamb: "No
final decisions have been made" (TORONTO STAR, 2/19). In
Toronto, Saunders & Houston report that CBC sources said
"HNIC" will carry the Sharks-Capitals for the first game and
the Predators-Blues for game two. CBC staff said "they have
been told to stay home" on Saturday, but viewers can still
watch the Maple Leafs game on CBC's French-language network,
as it is "not affected" by the strike (GLOBE & MAIL, 2/19).
WOULD OTHER UNIONS WALK? The Teamsters said yesterday
it "would honour" the CBC picket line, meaning that ushers,
gate staff and concession staff may not work the Air Canada
Centre opener (TORONTO SUN, 2/19). Also in Toronto, Lu &
Zelkovich report that the labor dispute could result in the
more than 18,000 fans for the game not being "able to get to
their seats," as the Teamsters represent "about" 800 arena
employees (TORONTO STAR, 2/19).
