To: FSN Execs

From: Andrew Marchand

Re: SportsCenter

CC: ESPN Execs Dear FSN Execs:

Nationally, you guys have not done much right. From “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” to “I, Max” to your NFL shows, you have not augmented your strong local game programming.

But now you have come up with a good idea. Don’t mess it up.

In July, you will premiere a nightly show called “FSN Final Score” that will just show highlights.

You have tried to challenge “SportsCenter” before with Keith Olbermann and The National Sports Report. Back then, you made the mistake of fighting ESPN on its turf by just recreating “SportsCenter.” Now you seem to have smartened up. Even in your press release, the show’s executive producer, Rick Jaffe, alluded to how “Final Score” will separate itself from “SportsCenter” by not focusing its show around anchors and “extraneous commentary.” Jaffe said the late-night half-hour show will be “nothing but highlights.” “Final Score” is such a good idea, The Memo wouldn’t be surprised if ESPN copied it.