In N.Y., Keith Kelly reports the bankers helping to sell four former Time Inc. magazines "are telling prospective buyers that they expect to fetch" more than $150M for SI and $100M for Time and Fortune. Houlihan Lokey is "handling the sale of SI while Citigroup is in charge of the sale" of Time and Fortune. One media dealer said," They think SI swimsuit alone could be a brand" (N.Y. POST, 4/6).
TAG-TEAM PARTNERS: THE WRAP's Donnelly & Waxman cited sources as saying that CAA has “stepped in to represent” WWE in a “multimillion dollar TV rights sale, joining longtime representative" WME-IMG at the table. WWE is “seeking a deal worth up to” $400M, while WME is “currently shopping the same rights for UFC.” A source said that the move to bring in CAA was “initiated by WME to secure a ‘checks and balances’ system for the deal” (THEWRAP.com, 4/5).
THE SAME BUT DIFFERENT: SI.com's Jimmy Traina cited a source as saying that Fox wants its "TNF" pregame show to originate from N.Y. "with a scaled down version of its regular 'Fox NFL Sunday' cast." The "TNF" show is "expected to air" with Michael Strahan, Howie Long and Terry Bradshaw. The trio "would also continue its duties on the Sunday pregame show," which airs from L.A. (SI.com, 4/5).
ACE IN THE HOLE? The WNBA Las Vegas Aces are "closing in on a radio contract for their inaugural season" in the city after relocating from San Antonio. The team is "communicating with the Las Vegas Sports Network about carrying games." The net "carries a pair of ESPN affiliates, NBC Sports and Fox Sports across six frequencies in the Las Vegas Valley" (REVIEWJOURNAL.com, 4/5).
