The first report I heard on Fox Sports Radio made it sound like it, but in truth the circumstances were not quite the same.
The MLS-US National Team game was played Saturday at RFK and was slotted for live coverage on ABC, but with a strict edict that if the game lasted after 6:00pm EDT, coverage would move to ESPN Douche or to another Disney-owned channel.
No problem, everyone knew in advance, and in fact a considerable part of the second half did switch over (this is similar to the terms CBS imposes on the Tony Award teleast). ABC and CBS know that many local stations won't clear the national broadcast if it cuts into even a minute of their most profitable local commercial time.
Here's where it got dicey: the telecast was running very late because a huge rainstorm had forced a 58 minute stoppage of the game (at about 14 to 15 minutes into the first half).
You'd think, with the desire to get as much of the action on the broadcast network, they'd shorten the halftime, right?
Just the opposite - the scheduled halftime was essentially a paean to MSL title sponsor Pepsi, featuring an apperance by a minor Latin pop star who is also sponsored by Pepsi.
Therefore, the MLS commissioner made the decision to cancel the remainder of the first half so that the halftime show could be shown on the nationwide commercial network in its entirety.
I personally think this is worse than the Bud Blight calling of the game - for example, next year's All-Star game (assuming it takes place) is at Comiskey - if a similar hour-long monsoon comes up in the eleventh inning, I think many would understand a "called-because-of-rain" outcome.....
[ August 05, 2002: Message edited by: Wurm ]