SAN FRANCISCO (Thomson Financial) - Walt Disney Co.-owned ESPN, the cable
sports network, and the National Football League's NFL Network are in
partnership talks, The Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site late Friday.
The NFL Network's chief executive, Steven Bornstein, who was previously
chairman of ESPN and president of Disney's ABC network, has conducted high-level
talks with executives at Disney in recent weeks, the Journal said, citing people
familiar with the situation.
The NFL and cable providers including ESPN have clashed over TV licensing
packages for football games, with some major providers refusing to offer certain
games to subscribers.
Disney shares closed the regular session down 95 cents at $31.94.
Brigid Gaffikin
bg/gm
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