The Mavericks have signed a three-year deal for
broadcast rights with "emerging station" KHSX-TV, with 30
games set to air this season, according to Richard Alm of
the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The deal is a "gamble" since the
fledgling station, owned by Barry Diller's USA Broadcasting,
currently broadcasts the Home Shopping Network, but "intends
to change the call letters and switch ... formats to sports
and entertainment, using the Mavericks as a lure to build an
audience." The Mavs decided on KHSX "largely because of the
innovative, professional work" Diller has done with Heat
games on its WAMI-TV. Mavs President Terdema Ussery: "We
flew to Miami to see what they did with the Heat. It was
really fantastic." The team "exercised its option to opt
out" of the final year of its contract with Southwest Sports
Group-owned KXTX-TV, and Alm notes that WFAA-ABC, owned by
the Belo Corp., which is set to acquire a 12.4% stake in the
Mavs, "made no attempt to secure" the broadcast rights. To
"alert fans to the change in stations," USA Broadcasting and
the Mavs will "launch an extensive promotional campaign,"
utilizing local ads, direct mailings, the Internet and other
media outlets (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/12).
IS THERE A CONFLICT? Also in Dallas, Kirkpatrick & Alm
examine the potential conflict of interest with Belo's
minority stake in the team and arena development. Belo owns
several local TV stations and the Dallas Morning News. Belo
Chair, President & CEO Robert Decherd said his company is
"not in the sports ownership and management business. This
just happens to be the way to establish a position in this
particular marketplace" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/12).
