Howard Manly On The Celtics TV Rights

[wayray@ix.netcom.com (Way Of The Ray)]

Here's what the Boston Globe columnist said:

"The Celtics are the wild card.  Their cable and free TV deals are up.  The 
cable rights were owned by FSNE, with Channel 38 airing the other games.  FSNE 
wants a 10-year deal and the Celtics have refused to commit for that long.  
They want a three-year deal.  Channel 38 would like to keep the Celtics' road 
games, but Channel 68 has also made an offer.

"Celtics owner Paul Gaston might consider purchasing Channel 68 if the price 
were right.  he might even consider purchasing Channel 38's 20 percent share of 
NESN and become a partner.

"NESN would then control the cable rights of the Celtics, Bruins, and Red Sox, 
and ultimately force FSNE to go away without any big-time sports products.

"The longer the Red Sox and Celtics wait to sign deals, the better FSNE looks.  
It has the cash now, is willing to spend it, and has ample space on its 
schedule.

"But money is not the problem.  Egos are in the way and none of the players 
want to make a costly mistake."


Ray