Mike
03-02-03, 08:19 AM
Fox Sports Net to Show Games Under New Deal
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-cliprep2mar02,1,4024090.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines% 2Dsports
By Larry Stewart;Ben Bolch
In the category of better-late-than-never, the Clippers and Fox Sports Net announced Saturday that they have agreed to terms on a multiyear television contract.
Beginning with Monday night's home game against New Orleans, Fox Sports Net 2 will televise 14 of the Clippers' remaining 24 games. The regional cable network will also televise Wednesday's game at Washington, live at 4 p.m., as well as Friday's game at Boston. The Boston game will also be on ESPN.
The remainder of the schedule will be announced later.
Clipper announcers Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith will announce the Fox Sports Net 2 games.
The contract, which covers the next five seasons after this one, calls for 35 to 45 Clipper telecasts next season, said Steve Simpson, vice president and general manager of Fox Sports Net.
Last season, the Clippers did not have an over-the-air station. Before this season, they made a deal with Channel 5 to have 25 weekend games televised, but negotiations with Fox Sports Net broke off.
"Negotiations never completely ceased," Simpson said. "There was a slowdown after it was announced we couldn't come to terms, but the dialogue was still there."
Simpson, who declined to give the financial aspects of the new deal, said both parties are very happy. One source said the Clippers will make more money off the deal next season than they have in the past.
Clipper Executive Vice President Andy Roeser said, "We always knew this was going to end happily. The main thing is it works out for the fans. Between Fox Sports Net and KTLA, our fans will be able to enjoy a majority of our games each year."
As for starting to televise games at this point of the season, Simpson said, "With some great games coming up, we decided, why wait until next year?"
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-cliprep2mar02,1,4024090.story?coll=la%2Dheadlines% 2Dsports
By Larry Stewart;Ben Bolch
In the category of better-late-than-never, the Clippers and Fox Sports Net announced Saturday that they have agreed to terms on a multiyear television contract.
Beginning with Monday night's home game against New Orleans, Fox Sports Net 2 will televise 14 of the Clippers' remaining 24 games. The regional cable network will also televise Wednesday's game at Washington, live at 4 p.m., as well as Friday's game at Boston. The Boston game will also be on ESPN.
The remainder of the schedule will be announced later.
Clipper announcers Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith will announce the Fox Sports Net 2 games.
The contract, which covers the next five seasons after this one, calls for 35 to 45 Clipper telecasts next season, said Steve Simpson, vice president and general manager of Fox Sports Net.
Last season, the Clippers did not have an over-the-air station. Before this season, they made a deal with Channel 5 to have 25 weekend games televised, but negotiations with Fox Sports Net broke off.
"Negotiations never completely ceased," Simpson said. "There was a slowdown after it was announced we couldn't come to terms, but the dialogue was still there."
Simpson, who declined to give the financial aspects of the new deal, said both parties are very happy. One source said the Clippers will make more money off the deal next season than they have in the past.
Clipper Executive Vice President Andy Roeser said, "We always knew this was going to end happily. The main thing is it works out for the fans. Between Fox Sports Net and KTLA, our fans will be able to enjoy a majority of our games each year."
As for starting to televise games at this point of the season, Simpson said, "With some great games coming up, we decided, why wait until next year?"