TV MONITOR: Last night's 10:00pm ET edition of FSN's "Fox Sports News" led with the condition of Chiefs LB Derrick Thomas, who had spinal surgery, followed by the Vikings' coaching additions. The first non-NFL story, at 11:20 into the broadcast, was Suns-Pacers. Last night's 11:00pm ET edition of CNN/SI's "Sports Tonight" led with Kings-Hornets, followed by Suns-Pacers. The first non-NBA story, at 4:46, was Thomas. Last night's 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" led with Warriors-Mavericks, followed by Suns-Pacers. The first non-NBA story, at 7:28, was the Univ. of MI-Univ. of IN men's college basketball game (THE DAILY). BAD TIMING: In L.A., Larry Stewart reported that "technical difficulties" resulted in KCAL-IND viewers missing the final six seconds of regulation time in Monday's Lakers-Jazz game. The feed returned 12 minutes later, with three minutes remaining in the game's second overtime. TBS, which was also televising the game, "did not lose its feed." KCAL blamed the blackout on "failure of a power panel" at the Delta Center (L.A. TIMES, 1/25). THE AMERICAN DREAM? In Orlando, Jerry Greene notes patrons camping out to purchase admission tickets to Atlanta's ESPNZone Super Bowl party on Sunday and asks restaurant manager Renee Whitley "why anyone would do that." Whitley: "There's a TV over every urinal in the men's room, and there's lots of beer and meat on the menu." Greene: "She's right. Life is good" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/26). WEB NOTES: The Bulls have launched mybulls, an e-mail notification service available free to fans on the Bulls Web site, www.bulls.com (Bulls)....The NFL has selected RealNetworks as the exclusive Streaming Media Provider for Superbowl.com (RealNetworks). NOTES: In L.A., Lisa Dillman reviewed Wetzel & Yaeger's "Sole Influence: Basketball, Corporate Greed, and the Corruption of America's Youth" and wrote, "It could be so 'yesterday' -- Nike vs. Adidas and George Raveling vs. Sonny Vaccaro ... but this book doesn't allow such boredom to take hold. Bottom line: Feuds are fascinating" (L.A. TIMES, 1/25)....In Philadelphia, Bill Fleischman reports that Comcast SportsNet's late-night interview show, "SpotLight" is moving to 4:30pm ET. Host Michael Barkann will be replaced by various weekday hosts, but will continue to host the 5:00pm ET of "Daily News Live" (DAILY NEWS, 1/26).
