Murdoch Close To Taking On Espn Head-To-Head

Rupert Murdoch and cable’s TeleCommunications Inc. are in talks to buy a stake in Cablevision Systems’ sports properties to create a new, national sports network.

The negotiations are fairly close to resolution and a deal could come as early as Monday, said a source close to the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity Friday.

With the purchase, which would take place through Fox/Liberty Networks, a 50-50 venture of Murdoch’s Fox and TCI’s Liberty Media programming arm, the two partners would create a network that would compete head-on with ESPN. It would offer both game coverage and sports news.

The transaction would be worth $850 million and involve a 40 percent stake in the Cablevision properties, published reports said. It would involve Cablevision’s seven regional sports channels, Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks, the Rangers and the MSG Network, a regional cable network that airs the games of New York-area teams.

The new network would be named Fox Sports Net, the current name of a regional sports network owned by the partners. It will have broadcast rights to about 40 sports teams and will reach about 55 million viewers.

Report pits Olbermann vs. King

CNN’s Larry King will have more competition as a primetime news talk host when Keith Olbermann leaves his anchor position at ESPN for MSNBC, a published report said Friday.

USA Today reported that Olbermann, who is leaving ESPN June 29, will host a show similar to that of King five nights a week.

“A decision’s not been made, but everything will be done by July 1,” Olbermann said Thursday.

Wimbledon Warriors

Tennis fans who get HBO can expect some lively commentary from Mary Carillo and Billie Jean King during Wimbledon, which begins Monday.

Carillo on Andre Agassi’s apparent lack of interest in regaining his highly ranked form: “It would help everybody if Andre decided he really did give a rip about his career again, started to play ball again and really challenge for the majors.”

King on what would make three-time Wimbledon titlist Pete Sampras more appealing to the public: “He needs a rivalry with an Agassi.”

Added Carillo: “As great as Pete is, it’s a lot like Bjorn Borg in the 1970s. He was a quiet achiever while these lunatics like (Jimmy) Connors and (John) McEnroe were around him. Their rivalries were riveting.”