TV MONITOR: The first five stories on last night's
11:00pm ET editions of both CNN/SI's "Sports Tonight" and
FSN's "Primetime" (Fox Sports Net NY) were, in order, Mets-
Braves, an update on Red Sox-Yankees, an update on the neck
injury of Cowboys WR Michael Irvin, a report on the health
of 49ers QB Steve Young and the death of Wilt Chamberlain.
ESPN's "SportsCenter" led with Mets-Braves, followed by
Irvin, Young and Jets coach Bill Parcells' decision to stick
with Rick Mirer as his starting QB (THE DAILY).
OTHER NOTES: In San Antonio, Johnny Ludden wrote that
NBA officials estimated they will give credentials "to 600
reporters for the McDonald's Championship." Ludden: "That's
almost half of what Jordan and the Bulls drew in Paris two
years ago, but still a sizable number" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-
NEWS, 10/13)....In DC, Leonard Shapiro criticizes the
"Redskins All Access" TV show for being "fluff" and notes
the presence of WTTG-Fox sports anchor Brett Haber "raises
some ethical issues." Shapiro: "[Haber] is now being paid
to appear on a show devoted to promoting and marketing the
Redskins in the best possible light. ... I'm still old-
school enough to believe that journalists working in the
news business should not have any strings attached,
particularly financial, to the organizations they are
covering." But Haber says, "Nothing comes out of my mouth I
don't feel comfortable saying" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/14).
...NBC Sports Chair Dick Ebersol "acknowledged the
possibility" of moving the post time of the Kentucky Derby
from 5:30pm ET to 6:30pm ET (BUSINESS FIRST OF LOUISVILLE,
10/11 issue)....In Calgary, Chris Nelson reports that the
2005 Goodwill Games "now look certain to be held in
Calgary." One Turner Sports source: "Make no mistake,
Calgary's where we'll be in 2005" (CALGARY SUN, 10/14).