Murdoch and NFL to Launch Another Cable Sports Network?



Paul Tagliabue's "State of the League" address included the following statement:

"[W]e are giving very serious consideration to being part of the launch of another major sports network on cable and satellite television. That's a complicated thing, but we're looking at that very seriously. That's a strategic thing, which anticipates the future of television technology and the future interests of where people are going to be in terms of digital television technology."

Afterwards, a league source indicated "that Tagliabue was referring to statements by Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp., the parent company of Fox, about the possibility of launching a major cable/satellite sports network that would challenge ESPN."



I am sure ESPN is thrilled with this news, especially after it cancelled Playmakers in response to threats from the NFL. Overall, though, I think this would be good news. Although the regional Fox Sports channels give ESPN some competition, there is no other national cable sports channel. It would be nice if there was another network to show professional and collegiate sports, as well as a competitor for SportsCenter, a show that (in my opinion) has dropped off considerably in quality in the past five years. The viability of any new network would be a concern, but with the guarantee of the NFL and the backing of Murdoch, it would almost certainly be a success.



UPDATE: There are some great comments to read on this post (below). And Phil at the Sports Economist has more.

Posted in: