Judge to Decide Fate of Telecasts

A ruling in Orange County Superior Court today will determine whether tonight’s Mighty Duck game against the Edmonton Oilers will be shown on Fox Sports West or Fox Sports West 2. If Judge Ronald C. Kline grants the Ducks’ request to be returned to Fox Sports West, the game will be available to more than 4 million Southern California viewers. If not, the game will be shown as scheduled on Fox Sports West 2, which is unavailable to Orange County cable customers.

Kline on Tuesday was expected to announce a ruling on the Ducks’ suit, filed Feb. 4. But after hearing arguments from attorneys for the Ducks and Fox Sports, he delayed the decision. He said his ruling will not be influenced by an antitrust suit filed by Fox against the Ducks on Monday in Federal Court in Los Angeles.