DOES JETS FUTURE HINGE ON NHL SALARY CAP?

     In Winnipeg, Hal Sigurdson writes that despite the Manitoba
Entertainment Complex (MEC) meeting its goal of "selling at least
40 luxury suites," the future of the Jets in Winnipeg is based on
a salary cap and a revenue sharing formula. "Chances of that
happening remain remote. ... Since construction of a new arena
can't be delayed beyond the start of next summer, the team will
have to be sold.  No one will buy into a game before the rules
are established no matter how many luxury seats or club seats the
MEC sells. ... If the Jets leave, enthusiasm to build a new arena
will die.  That's the real shame."  Sigurdson urges the MEC to
bring in a "well-run IHL franchise," as "it would be easier to
finance an arena on a user-pay basis without the Jets than with
them" (WINNIPEG FREE-PRESS, 11/8).