WHALERS WANT TO RUN THEIR ARENA'S BUSINESS OPERATIONS

     Whalers President & GM Jim Rutherford and the team's
business attorney Lou Beer will meet with CT Development
Authority (CDA) officials today to discuss "general proposals and
philosophies" about the team's relationship with the Civic
Center.  The Whalers have an interest in full or partial
management of the facility.  Beer is not sure if the CDA, Ogden
Entertainment and Service America Corp. shares the team's wishes.
Beer:  "We have no right to make them change and we're not
insisting on it.  But clearly a renegotiated deal could mean a
longer commitment for us to stay in Hartford."  Beer did note
that unless the Whalers "astronomically" raise ticket prices --
which is not planned -- the team cannot break even under the
current arrangement with the CDA, even if they sold out every
game.  CDA Exec VP Bob Dixon:  "The CDA is willing to talk and to
continue a dialogue with the Whalers. There are areas such as
advertising where it might give more benefit to each party.  We
are supportive of the Whalers, but we are not in a subsidy
environment" (Jeff Jacobs, HARTFORD COURANT, 3/3).