Lakers Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss said of former coach Phil Jackson's role with the team, "If we asked him to fill in on the broadcast because someone was out, I'm sure he'd do it. Just because everyone puts him as a coach doesn't mean that's the only thing he's capable of doing." She added, "Right now he has no official position. He wants to be supportive of me and the organization. He has no contractual obligation. He would listen to anything where he might be able to help." Lakers Exec VP/Player Personnel Jim Buss: "We can call him at any time" (Ric Bucher, SULIA.com, 8/23).
COUGAR TOWN: In K.C., Kerkhoff & Davis noted Big 12 football is among FS1's "big properties," and Kansas State's first two games this season -- against North Dakota State and Louisiana-Lafayette -- are part of that package. This brings national attention for games "that in other years would have received only regional exposure at best." KSU AD John Currie said, "We probably would have been an 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday on one of the Fox affiliates." Kerkhoff & Davis: "In other words, one of many football viewing options at that time on a channel that didn’t have 90 million subscribers" (K.C. STAR, 8/25).
HOT COMMODITY: BLOOMBERG NEWS' Alex Sherman wrote time "may be running out" for Cablevision to find a buyer. Financial analysis firm Macquarie Group said that with its "highest valuation in two years," the $4.8B cable operator "should take advantage of a surge in cable matchmaking to sell." Sources have said that Charter is "considering combining with Time Warner or Cox Communications" (BUSINESSWEEK.com, 8/23).
