
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 6, 1994                   TAG: 9402060165
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SEC WAITING FOR BIG EAST IN CBS DEAL

An announcement by the presidents of Southeastern Conference schools, leaning toward the acceptance of CBS' offer for their football and basketball television rights, is planned this week.

The Dallas Morning News on Saturday quoted a league official as saying the presidents were awaiting a similar decision by Big East Conference officials.

"They are inclined to go with CBS and very inclined to do that if the Big East accepts," said the official, knowledgeable of negotiations with both conferences.

He said the SEC presidents want to have company when they break from the College Football Association television package with ABC.

The CFA told the Big East football schools last week that they would have to accept a 30 percent cut in revenue to fund increases offered to the SEC. On Friday, however, the CFA offered not only to restore the cut but increase the Big East's television revenue.

CBS officials discussed the possible deal Friday in a conference call with the eight football athletic directors.

After the teleconference, the SEC office released a statement in which the presidents "authorized the commissioner's office to continue negotiations."

by CNB