CFL RIDERS' OWNER FIRESTONE SPEAKS ON SALE OF TEAM

     Ottawa Rough Riders owner Bruce Firestone granted his first
interview since December 29 when "he announced that the team he
has owned for less than a year is once again for sale."
Firestone sounded "bitter" about his business loss: "The sports
identity has become a business identity.  It's not about the
games anymore.  All you read about is the money.  I just hate it.
That's why I'm getting out."  CFL Commissioner Larry Smith said
the team will be moved if it did not meet league-imposed targets
of 15,000 season ticket sales and $1M in corporate sponsorship by
January 31.  Firestone, who lost between $1.2M and $1.4M in 10
months of operation said "without hitting those targets, there is
no opportunity for success.  Even then it is not a guarantee, but
at least there is an opportunity" (TORONTO STAR, 1/5).