from the TV Sports section of the USA Today by Rudy Martzke: Dick Ebersol, along with officials of other networks, were involved in meetings with NASCAR negotiators Tuesday. Meetings will be held Nov. 7-8, with rights fees likely tripling to about $300 million a year. This could be the start of a huge month for NBC, which could wind up with half the NASCAR package, renew Wimbledon and possibly announce the launch of its summer football league with Turner beginning in 2001. Fox wants to buy the entire package starting in 2001 in conjunction with FX. NASCAR, though, probably will have two packages. CBS/TNN are favored to gain rights to the first half over ABC/ESPN for possibly $160 million a year because ABC can’t televise as many races as CBS. NBC/Turner are favored for the second half of the year for about $140 million annually( USA Today )
