TAMPA BAY EXPANSION GROUP KICKS OF NAME-THE-TEAM CONTEST

     Vince Naimoli, the leader of the Tampa Bay MLB expansion
effort, kicked off a "Name the Team" promotion.  He did say that
his group will not pay for a team name, as one group hoped after
gaining trademark registration for Tampa Bay Thunder, Tampa Bay
Thunder Bolts and Tampa Bay Tarpons with the state (Bill
Chastain, TAMPA TRIBUNE, 2/10).  Naimoli did confirm that the
first name of the potential team would be "Tampa Bay."  The
Phoenix group will launch their name the team contest Sunday.
Suns Owner Jerry Colangelo will offer some names and let fans
make additional suggestions.  It is at the March 7-9 owners
meeting that Colangelo and Naimoli expect to be awarded the next
two MLB franchises (Marc Topkin, ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/10).