HERRICK AND CITY OF ORLANDO CLOSE TO COMPROMISE ON STADIUM

     In a dispute that threatens to land a fatal blow to their
expansion hopes, Orlando officials and would-be baseball owner
Norton Herrick are close to a deal "that could salvage Orlando's
bid for an MLB expansion team."  The disagreement centers on who
would control surplus tourist tax revenue -- the county or the
team.  Negotiators for both sides said they have come up with a
compromise that would give Herrick "some surplus money but less
than he was demanding."  Herrick wanted the surplus money to go
back into improving the stadium, "perhaps adding a retractable
roof."  Orlando's presentation to baseball owners will take place
Wednesday in Chicago, and both sides "agree the stadium must be a
done deal for Orlando to have any chance" of being awarded a
franchise (Lebowitz & Tracy, ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/9).