TV MONITOR: Last night's 11:00pm ET of CNN/SI's "Sports
Tonight" and FSN's "Primetime" both led with the resignation
of Jets coach Bill Parcells, followed by the firings of
Patriots coach Pete Carroll and Packers coach Ray Rhodes.
The first non-NFL story on both "Sports Tonight," at 5:31
into the broadcast, and "Primetime," at 8:55, was Blazers-
Bulls. The first NHL story on "Sports Tonight," at 24:48,
was Sabres-Maple Leafs, while the first NHL story on
"Primetime," at 39:17, was Mario Lemieux winning the Lester
Patrick Award. The 12:00am ET edition of "SportsCenter" led
with Blazers-Bulls, followed by Nuggets-Jazz. The first
non-NBA story, at 4:10, was Parcells' resignation. The
first NHL story, at 19:15, was Rangers-Blues (THE DAILY).
TUNA TO TV? While many media columnists speculate today
that Parcells could end up in the broadcasting booth next
season, Bob Raissman of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS writes to "bet
the ranch ABC Sports brass" will meet with Parcells to gauge
his interest on joining its "MNF" team. ABC "can offer a
prime-time gig and major moolah" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/4).
GAMMONS' WEB DEAL: Peter Gammons began writing his
exclusive column on ESPN.com Monday. Gammons' column will
be seen in ESPN Magazine and on the Web site, where he will
have an expanded presence, including his own page with
updates throughout the week. Gammons will also oversee ESPN
Magazine's season previews, including a stand-alone preview
scheduled for 2001. He will also continue his work for the
TV network as an analyst for "Baseball Tonight" (ESPN).
NOTES: CBS exercised warrants to buy an additional
380,000 shares of SportsLine Inc. for $7.6M, boosting the
network's share in the Internet company from 15.7% to 16.1%.
CBS now owns four million shares of SportsLine. At $20 per
share, CBS received a 61% discount from SportsLine's price
of 51 5/8 at the time of the purchase (BLOOMBERG, 12/29).
...The Yankees and MLB sued NY business exec Brian McKiernan
asking that he give up the domain name newyorkyankees.com.
McKiernan registered the name in '97, and while he said that
he didn't plan to sell it for a profit, the team accused him
of "demanding" $25,000 for it (NEWSDAY, 1/1)....KCAL-LA will
broadcast tonight's Clippers-Lakers game in HDTV. Local
Circuit City stores will provide viewing sections and
refreshments for fans (ELEC. MEDIA, 1/3)....In DC, Leonard
Shapiro: "Wouldn't it be nice if ESPN's 'Sports Reporters'
added women to its mix?" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/1)...."Business
Unusual's" Beverly Schuch profiled Boo.com, which "carries
more than twenty sporting goods outdoor and performance
brands," including Converse, Puma and New Balance. Boo's
"innovative technology has taken the virtual shopping
experience to a new dimension. Sportswear lovers can not
only browse products by color, price and brand, but they're
also able to spin them 360 degrees" (CNNfn, 12/31).
