Scrapbook 3: BBC and ITV offered 15 'live' minutes of Patterson v Liston
BBC and ITV offered 15 ‘live’ minutes of Patterson v Liston
NOW SPORT COMES ZOOMING INTO THE SPACE AGE.
And the first big transatlantic event which may be seen live in this country is the sensational, multi-million dollar world heavyweight title fight between the two American Negroes, champion Floyd Patterson and sinister challenger Sonny Liston which takes place—in the flesh—at Comiskey Park, Chicago, on September 25.
The current success of Telstar—the satellite which can relay live television pictures thousands of miles across the world — has made this a distinct possibility.
Mr. Sheldon Graff, a king-sized Californian tycoon—he heads eight corporations at the last count—outlined his plan to colleague Michael Grade from his penthouse suite at an exclusive London hotel last night.
To Highest Bidder
“The syndicate who run Telstar have been in touch with my company and inquired whether they could relay part of the fight,” said Mr. Graff.
“We agreed at once, and I’m in London to sell the film and TV rights of the fight to either the BBC or ITV, whoever bids the largest.
“It would be up to them whether or not to use Telstar, but certainly the opportunity is there for them to take.
“The fight is scheduled for 10 p.m., so it would be 4 a.m. in London.
“It would depend on the position of the satellite which part of the fight would be seen in Europe.
“The Telstar organisation estimate showing about fifteen minutes of the fight.”
Gamble
Mr. Graff heads the syndicate of three business men whose bid of 2,000,000 dollars [£714,283] for the ancillary rights of the championship—these include closed circuit TV across America, film and radio rights—has been accepted by Championship Sports Incorporated, who promoting the fight.
“This is our first venture in this field,” said Mr. Graff. “It’s a fantastic gamble, and we are already committed to over 3,000,000 dollars [£1,071,525] worth of guarantees.
“But we expect to gross around 6,000,000 or 7,000,000 dollars in the end.” [Over £2,000,000.]
“My own personal aim as a boxing enthusiast is to ensure that both fighters reap full reward for their labours.
“The money they make from TV and other things will, for tax purposes, be put in trust for them.
Steady
“They will get 300,000 dollars [£107,142] in the first year, and 100,000 dollars [£35,714] every year for eighteen years or more, depending on their investments.
“This is the first time that boxers will have been paid in this way, but it will ensure that when they have finished fighting they will have a steady income.”
Interest throughout the world is enormous. Mr. Graff expects to sell the film of the fight to countries as far apart as Sweden and Japan.
Moscow
Even Moscow Radio have inquired about the possibility of a sound commentary direct from the ringside.
And, with Telstar taking part, this will be not only the richest-ever fight, but the most historic.
The sporting prospects opened up by this spinning satellite are enough to take your breath away.
Last Sunday, for instance, we could have seen in our own living rooms Valeriy Brumel casting off the shackles which have made man earthbound as he sprang to a fantastic new world record of 7ft. 5in. in Palo Alto, California—some 6,000 miles away by earthly reckoning but a mere hop, skip and a jump to the whirling Telstar.
Everyone with a price of a television licence may be able to tune in to the next Olympic Games in Tokio in 1964.
The football pitches of Brazil, the cricket grounds at Sydney and Melbourne, the swimming pools of California—all, all in time will be laid out on our home carpets.
Challenger Sonny Liston (left) and champion Floyd Patterson sign for their world heavyweight title fight, which may now be seen “live” in Britain.