If I recall correctly it was miss_arel who told me, and she heard it directly from JMS at a con. So... I'd say it's probably true. I'm a gossip-monger, too, I just get nervous from time to time because every so often these things turn out to be total bunk. I doubt this one is, though.

It ran seven years, just like TNG... and I believe it started in 1992? Early 90s, anyway, same era as B5. They even cross actors a few times - the guy who played Harriman Grey turns up as a recurring and much-loved semi-villain in later seasons of DS9. Slimey, delightfully sanctimonious character... I was so happy to see him in B5.