Karmazin: Sirius Scores NBA Game Deal
Greg Levine, 01.21.05, 5:34 PM ET
NEW YORK - Doers and doings in business, entertainment and technology:
Mel Karmazin
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Sky hook: In the ongoing duel to win the hearts and ears of subscribers, Sirius Satellite Radio (nasdaq: SIRI - news - people ) scored Friday. No. 2 in the arena--but closing the gap with top orbital broadcaster XM Satellite Radio (nasdaq: XMSR - news - people )--Sirius said it won a deal to broadcast NBA regular season games, playoffs and finals across America. The company described the pact as part of a non-exclusive multi-year extension agreement with the National Basketball Association. The two entities were mum on financial terms. Led by Chief Executive Mel Karmazin, Sirius currently plays up to 40 NBA games each week at no extra charge over the basic monthly $12.95 programming fee. Friday's deal gives the company expanded trademark and promotional rights, and Sirius and the NBA are likely to enact joint marketing efforts targeted at hoops fans. XM struck a blow in the sporting arena in October, when it announced a $650 million, 11-year deal to air Major League Baseball games live. The move was seen by some as a riposte to Sirius' major coup: Signing blue maestro Howard Stern. The controversial talk-radio king--and critic of outgoing Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell (see: "Post-Powell Depression")--will leave his current employer, Viacom (nyse: VIAb - news - people ), in January 2006. It'll be a reunion of sorts for Stern: He worked cordially for years under Karmazin, Viacom's ex-president. Aimed at true sports addicts, Friday's deal also means subscribers will enjoy live official game stats on their displays. Sirius shares rose 29 cents, or 5.2%, closing at $5.83 in Friday trade on the Nasdaq. More... |
