THE "CONTROVERSIAL" CANSECO AGENCY TO OPEN IN MIAMI

     The Red Sox's JOSE CANSECO opens his "controversial" new
sports management business, "40-40 Sports Council" next week in
Miami.  Canseco is "very excited about his new business and
already is recruiting younger players" while buying office space
in Miami -- all without knowing whether the MLBPA or MLB will
approve the venture.  Nick Cafardo writes that Canseco's move is
"unprecedented in sports history -- an active player owning a
firm that represents athletes."  But there are questions of
potential conflict, for example, "what if one of Canseco's
clients is pitching to him?"  MLBPA General Counsel Gene Orza
said an active player cannot negotiate a contract for another
player.  While Canseco is studying the legal issues, he says the
office will be run by associate Bo McKinnis, with him acting as
president and founder.  One agent: "I don't know how they can
pull it off. ... I'd be shocked if the [MLBPA]  recognized them
as a certified firm" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/22).