Tuesday, November 9, 2004
League agrees to TV contract extensions
NFL notebook
Enquirer news services
The NFL announced Monday that it has signed two major television contracts.
The league signed a six-year extension of its Sunday afternoon CBS and FOX deals through 2011. The NFL will receive $8 billion in rights fees for the Sunday afternoon packages.
Bengals president Mike Brown, speaking through team spokesman Jack Brennan, declined comment Monday night.
The Bengals, as an AFC team, are part of the CBS contract, which started in 1998. FOX televises the NFC, an arrangement that began in 1994.
What the deal means to fans is that NFL games will remain on free, over-the-air television. What the deal means to the 32 NFL teams is that their player salaries will continue to be covered roughly by their equal share of the TV money.
The current agreements expire after the 2005 season.
CBS and FOX will televise two Super Bowls each during the term of the agreements.
"Our goal in the negotiations has been to continue to deliver our games to the widest possible audience," NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in a statement.
--Mark Curnutte
BRONCOS: Denver coach Mike Shanahan said Monday he has not been contacted about the job opening at the University of Florida and has no intention of leaving the Broncos.
"I have four years left on my contract here and when I signed that contract, I told them I was committed to staying here for the whole thing," Shanahan said.
GIANTS: All-Pro Michael Strahan will miss the rest of the season with a torn muscle in his chest. Strahan was hurt Sunday in the third quarter of a 28-21 loss to the Bears. Surgery will be performed Wednesday.
JAGUARS: Quarterback Byron Leftwich probably will miss two games with a sprained left knee. Leftwich was re-evaluated, and doctors determined there was no need for surgery.
JETS: Quarterback Chad Pennington will miss two to four weeks with a strained right rotator cuff. Pennington was hurt in the first quarter of a 22-17 loss to Buffalo when he scrambled up the middle for a 12-yard gain. He dived ahead and was hit from the right side by linebacker London Fletcher, who forced a fumble.
BROWNS: Offensive guard Kelvin Garmon and defensive back Leigh Bodden are out for the season after sustaining injuries in Cleveland's loss on Sunday in Baltimore.
Garmon injured his medial collateral, anterior cruciate and posterior ligaments in his right knee. Coach Butch Davis said doctors will wait until swelling subsides in the knee before determining if Garmon needs surgery. He will need four to six months to recover. Bodden, the club's best special teams player, tore a chest muscle in the second half.
RAIDERS: Rookie tight end Courtney Anderson will miss four to six weeks with a sprained left knee. Also, guard Ron Stone underwent arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee and is expected to be sidelined the same amount of time.
FALCONS: After 23 days of rest and rehab from a single-car accident, Rod Coleman returned to practice Monday. The sixth-year defensive tackle practiced with a brace on his left knee.
SEAHAWKS: Cornerback Ken Lucas bruised a lung in the Seahawks' victory over San Francisco, and his playing status for this week is uncertain.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Hicks, Maxiell outmuscle NKU
NKU is having a grand preseason tour
NKU struggles to find groove against 'Cats
Probation mars Panthers
After long wait, Kansas tops poll
BENGALS
Curnutte: Bengals average, at best
Two Lewises try to calm down Johnson
Anderson could miss next game
Mark Curnutte blog
Speak up in the Bengals forum
MORE NFL HEADLINES
Manning-Harrison set NFL record for completions
MNF: Colts 31, Vikings 28
Dolphins' Wannstedt plans to resign
Versatility makes Brown more valuable to Patriots
Notebook: League agrees to TV contract extensions
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Gino gets C-USA honor
Top 5 stays same in BCS standings
Hawk spreads his wings at linebacker for Buckeyes
Wildcats wish: Get healthy
RedHawks need help from BGSU, WMU
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Glen Este follows Taylor's leadership
Newport energized by win in 1st round
High school sports results, schedules
BASEBALL
Cincinnati.Com exclusive: Reds off-season Q&A
Ruhle named Reds' minor league pitching boss
Bay, Crosby are MLB's top rookies
MORE SPORTS HEADLINES
Boxing: Donald's reason has no rhyme
Sports digest
Sports today on TV, radio
Return to Bengals front page...