But stations that pay the National Basketball Association or a college for television and radio broadcast rights do care when it appears "unofficial" television and radio stations are violating contractual agreements that have been sold by the league or school.

That has been the situation in the highly competitive Utah sports radio market leading into the start of the NBA season.

Official Jazz stations include KFNZ 1320 AM, KJZZ, FSN Utah, ESPN Radio and B 98.7 FM. According to NBA rules, these official outlets own promotional rights that include giving away free Jazz tickets and being allowed to call themselves the official stations of the Utah Jazz. Media outlets without NBA licensing agreements can't give away tickets, promote pre- and postgame shows, or engage in other activities that might violate those agreements.

Simmons Media Group-owned radio station 1280 AM The Zone, which offers its own Jazz pre- and postgame shows, has been told by the NBA to stop promoting its shows.

Parties involved either don't want to talk or stress that discussions under way about the issue have been mostly friendly.

Kevin Graham, sports director for The Zone, declined to comment.

But Randy Rigby, president of the Larry H. Miller Sports and Entertainment Group, believes The Zone will comply with the NBA order. "It's not a major issue," he said. "It's protection of name rights."

Linda Luchetti, vice president of communications for the Utah Jazz, said the NBA's broadcast policies stating what live feeds nonofficial stations can use from NBA arenas are clearly posted in press credentials, team press guides and in locker rooms.

"We have spent some time during the end of last season and during the summer having a discussion on where the line is drawn," she said.

"We don't want to keep anybody from doing their job and we don't want to hurt anybody's job," Luchetti said. "It is important for them to be part of the coverage and be part of the community, but abide by NBA rules." Because college sports programs also have official stations that pay for rights, the Jazz's KFNZ could face similar restrictions because it offers pre- and postgame commentary on Utah's top college teams.

Tribune sports columnist Gordon Monson also works for 1280 The Zone.

twharton@sltrib.com