Major Leagues Set To Plug Into Cbs, Fox, Cable

Major league baseball appears to be closing in on a multi-network television deal that would end regionalized playoffs by putting some postseason games on cable.

The deal also could put the Saturday Game of the Week back on the air, this time on Fox.

USA Today said in Tuesday’s editions that Fox and CBS have agreed to a four-year contract to start next year, in which they will pay at least a combined $880 million, or about $110 million a year apiece.

That report probably is premature, although the numbers fall roughly within the $110 million-$120 million per year range that baseball’s TV negotiator, Barry Frank of IMG, had been seeking, two industry sources told the Associated Press.

While Fox is considered baseball’s favorite potential new partner now because of its young demographics and willingness to televise extensively during the regular season, CBS’ involvement was still in question.

Industry insiders have not yet counted ABC out of the equation and wondered if the leaks weren’t designed to drive up any bid ABC might have made. ABC currently is No. 1 in prime time and would be a very attractive partner for baseball.

In a prepared statement, CBS Sports president David Kenin said: “Contrary to a published report in USA Today, CBS has made no deal to broadcast major league baseball. We are pleased to have the opportunity to be involved with baseball again. As of now, no formal negotiations have begun with major league baseball or its representatives.”

Fox Sports said simply that it would not comment on ongoing negotiations, and ABC has steadfastly refused to comment throughout the talks.

USA Today said all that remains are details of the two network contracts and specifics of a cable deal involving ESPN televising six postseason playoff games a year, presumably in the wild-card round.

While declining to comment specifically on this report, ESPN confirmed this morning that it still was interested in postseason. Turner Sports, however, said it also would be interested in making a bid and, according to at least one source, already had - a rather substantial offer of $75 million.

Turner Sports president Harvey Schiller was in New York Tuesday en route to London, while baseball’s negotiator reportedly was in London, expected back in New York today.

Frank denied that any deals were done, and said he hoped to “to have things finalized by early next week.”

Any new deal almost certainly would eliminate the regionalization of playoff games, for which The Baseball Network has been criticized. ABC and NBC are ending their Baseball Network relationship after the World Series.

NBC did not bid on a new deal, but since it’s purchase by Disney, ABC has renewed interest. ABC Sports representatives have met with Frank, reportedly coming in with bids $10 million-$15 million lower than the asking price.

Any new deal probably will put postseason games on cable for the first time. According to USA Today, ESPN would pay $5 million yearly for six first-round games, in addition to the $42 million a year it pays for regular season. ESPN said it still has two years left on its regular-season deal with an option for two more, making six years total.

Fox would broadcast 18-26 regular-season Saturday afternoon games, plus half the league championship and World Series, while CBS would televise 12-13 regular-season prime time games, and the rest of the LCS and World Series, the newspaper said. Fox has long been known to be interested in renewing the Game of the Week format since its Saturday afternoon programming now consists mostly of local shows and reruns.

CBS last did baseball in 1993, the final year of a four-year, $1.1 billion deal with baseball that netted about $500 million in losses. The No. 3 network in ratings, CBS once again is in much the same position it was in 1989, when it negotiated its original baseball deal.

Industry sources estimate the potential cash loss of an $880 million deal at $200 million apiece for Fox or CBS.