ESPN Blackout Might Be Lifted

ESPN is televising Game 1 of the Mighty Ducks’ Western Conference quarterfinal series against Phoenix on Wednesday.

But will it be blacked out locally as scheduled because of a Fox Sports West 2 broadcast?

That has become the latest skirmish between the Walt Disney Co. and Fox Sports West 2, already in a legal battle over broadcasts of Duck games. Because Disney owns ESPN as well as the Ducks, it becomes a very interesting issue.

The Ducks are fighting to lift the blackout because Fox Sports West 2 is available on few cable systems in Southern California and none in Orange County. (Fox Sports West 2 is available on most satellite-dish systems.)

“We’re making every effort to try to get the game on TV,” said Bill Robertson, a spokesman for Anaheim Sports Enterprises, the Disney subsidiary that owns the Ducks.

The full television schedule won’t be announced until today, but Fox Sports West 2 might have all four home games during a potential seven-game series--including the decisive Game 7. KTTV is likely to broadcast Games 3 and 6 in Phoenix, and KCAL might broadcast Game 4 in Phoenix.

That means another Disney salvo, a proposal to put any road games broadcast by Fox Sports West 2 on the scoreboard video screens at the Pond, appears to be a moot point because Fox Sports West 2 isn’t expected to broadcast any road games.

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Enforcer Shawn Antoski said he’s available if the Ducks need him during the playoffs.

Coach Ron Wilson said Antoski probably would play only in an emergency.

“It’s a tough decision,” Wilson said. “He hasn’t played all year. I don’t think you use a guy who hasn’t played all year. But if there’s a situation where there are injuries or a suspension. . .”