GM is one of six major corporations that are bidding to have
the Raptor's new arena named after their company.  GM has already
affixed its identity to the new home of the Vancouver Grizzlies
and Canucks, GM Place, which is under construction.  A source
close to GM said that a deal should be "tied up" by the end of
November: "I know we're first in line."  The source added that
they were "not sure" whether an agreement would include
exclusivity and/or floor signage."  An agreement on the naming
rights is expected to cost tens of millions.  A former arena exec
pegged the value of such a contract at more than $1M per year,
with "significant" payment up front.  It is believed the arena
agreement with Northwest, the Grizzlies' parent company, is worth
more than $20M (Craig Daniels, TORONTO SUN, 10/27).

     St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission (CVC) President
Bob Bedell said that the commission will wait for a decision by
the Rams about moving to St. Louis before they award a
corporation with naming rights to the new dome.  It is currently
unknown which party would receive any stadium naming rights money
-- CVC, FANS Inc. or the St. Louis Regional Convention and Sports
Complex Authority, which owns and is constructing the building.
Bedell argues that any future naming rights revenues should help
meet the CVC's operating expenses:  "CVC has more at stake
financially than anybody else."  But FANS -- the non-profit group
attempting to lure the Rams to St. Louis -- maintains they need
the money to meet the Rams' wish list items of between $60-90M
(ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 10/27).

     Earlier this week, Jerry Jones outlined his expansion plans
for Texas Stadium in Irving.  His plan would expand seating
capacity to over 100,000, the most in the NFL, and cost
approximately $140M, close to what Jones paid for the team and
the stadium in 1989.  Jones enjoys one of the most favorable
lease situations in the league, and Texas Stadium's 358 luxury
boxes are tops in the NFL with the Stadium Corp. owning and
operating all the boxes.  Today, THE SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY
continues to profile the NFL's infrastructure with a look at
Texas Stadium.


  
 
    
STADIUM:
    
 
      
Texas 
        Stadium, Irving, Texas
    
  
  
 
    
AGE:
    
Completed in 1971
  
  
 
    
CAPACITY:
    
65,000, 21st highest 
      in the league.
  
  
 
    
OWNERSHIP:
    
City of Irving
  
  
 
    
MANAGEMENT:
    
Managed by the Texas 
      Stadium Corp.
  
  
 
    
LUXURY 
      BOXES:
    
358 boxes 
      -- most in the NFL -- owned and operatedby the Texas Stadium Corporation.
  
  
 
    
COST:
    
$35 million, paid for 
      by public bonds
  
  
 
    
RENOVATIONS:
    
Two recent renovations 
      -- 118 more suites in '85, 60 suites added in '92.
  
  
 
    
CONCESSIONS:
    
Concessions done in-house 
      by Texas Stadium Corp., revenue goes to Stadium Corp.
  
  
 
    
PARKING:
    
16,000 parking sports 
      at $6 a car. All revenue goes to Stadium Corp.
  
  
 
    
RENT:
    
$1.95 million -- 7th 
      highest in the league.
  
  
 
    
LEASE:
    
Jones owns the team 
      and manages the lease outright.
  


(Sources: Bruce Hardy, GM/Texas Stadium Corp.; rent figure from
Florida Times Union article from July 24, 1994).