ACC FEELING VERY MERRY AS RE-UP WITH RAYCOM/JP WORTH $300M

          The ACC has signed a ten-year contract extension with
     Raycom Sports/Jefferson Pilot Sports that a source familiar
     with negotiations said is "worth more than $300 million for
     the broadcasting, marketing and Internet rights for men's
     and women's basketball and all other conferences sports
     except football," according to Barr & Asher of the
     WASHINGTON POST.  The extension "doubles the average intake
     for each of the ACC schools from the existing contract that
     would expire after the 2000-01 school year."  With the deal,
     Raycom/JP "plans to broadcast more women's basketball games
     and championships in other ACC sports not currently aired."
     Raycom/JP will also manage ACC Properties.  ACC Associate
     Commissioner Tom Mickle said that the extension "stipulates"
     that Raycom/JP cannot use virtual advertising signage on its
     broadcasts without permission from the ACC (WASHINGTON POST,
     12/22).  USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke reports that the ACC will
     receive $300M-plus in the ten-year deal (USA TODAY, 12/22).