Cbs Sports Snaps Up Orphaned Pba Telecasts For 1998 Season

CBS Sports reached agreement Tuesday with the Professional Bowlers Association to broadcast nine events in hour-long formats next year.

The deal came less than two weeks after ABC Sports ended 36 years of bowling broadcasts.

“CBS Sports is proud to preserve one of the great traditions in network sports television,” said Sean McManus, president of the network’s sports division.

“For the past 36 years, television viewers have been loyal fans of the PBA tour. CBS Sports is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve these viewers and to develop new ones.”

McManus said no decision had been made on an announcer for the series. Chris Schenkel, 73, has been the longtime voice of the bowling tour and has one year remaining on his ABC contract.

“Certainly Chris is definitely one of the people we would consider,” McManus said. “We haven’t even discussed talent yet. I would think that maybe within the next month we’ll have a decision.”