*CBS grabs Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms as top NFL broadcast duo*

--------------------------------------------------------------- 

CBS Sports paid dearly to get back the NFL, and today made the
duo of Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms its lead broadcast pairing for
its AFC package, which begins next season. 

No terms were disclosed, but USA Today reported that Gumbel's
deal would average $1.75 million annually over five years.  The
official announcement comes 17 days after CBS wrested the AFC
package from NBC with a $4 billion deal over eight years. 

For Gumbel, it marks a return to CBS, and he will serve as the
top play-by-play announcer, a role different that his anchor
slot on the "NFL on NBC" studio show.  His first assignment,
however, will be as host of CBS's coverage of the 1998 NCAA
Men's Basketball Championship. 

Simms had also been with NBC, which completed its contract with
the NFL on Sunday with its broadcast of Super Bowl XXXII, the
Denver Broncos' 31-24 upset of the Green Bay Packers in San
Diego.  Simms served with fellow analyst Paul Maguire along with
Dick Enberg on NBC's top team since 1995, following a 15-year
career as quarterback for the New York Giants. 

The 51-year-old Gumbel worked at CBS from October 1989 until May
1994.  He hosted "The NFL Today" from 1990-93 and served as
primetime anchor of the 1994 Winter Olympics.  He was a
co-anchor for the 1992 Winter Olympics in addition to
participating in CBS's coverage of Major League Baseball and
college football telecasts. 

"Greg Gumbel is one of America's top broadcasters and most
popular personalities," said CBS Sports executive producer Terry
Ewert.  "He has invaluable versatility as a premier talent in
the booth and in the studio covering all sports.  Everyone at
CBS is truly thrilled to have him back where he belongs." 

Before landing at CBS for his first tour of duty, Gumbel worked
as a host for New York Knicks basketball and New York Yankees
baseball for Madison Square Garden Network, in addition to
stints with ESPN, WMAQ-TV Chicago and WFAN Radio in New York. 

Simms has quickly risen to one of the highest-regarded NFL
analysts.  In his short experience in the booth, Simms has
called Super Bowl XXX and covered weightlifting for the 1996
Summer Olympics.  He has also worked as a sideline reporter for
the "NBA on NBC" and served as a studio analyst for ESPN. 

"Phil Simms has established himself as one of the very best
analysts in the business," Ewert said.  "He provides a
refreshing voice of authority with the unequaled insight of a
quarterback's eye." 

On the field, Simms made the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1993, and was
part of both Giants' Super Bowl championship clubs.  In Super
Bowl XXI, he had a record-setting day, completing an amazing
22-of-25 passes and winning the MVP in the Giants' 39-20 rout of
Denver. 

He holds New York franchise records for most passes attempted
and completed in a game (40 completions, 62 attempts), a season
(286, 533), and career (2,576, 4,647); career touchdown passes
(199), and most career 300-yard games (21).