John Labatt Ltd., "buoyed by the end of the baseball strike,
may have new partners for some of its sports businesses by early
summer," according to Labatt President George Taylor.  Taylor
said the company is negotiating with "several parties" about the
possibility of them investing in Labatt's sports assets, which
include the Blue Jays, the SkyDome, CFL's Argonauts and TSN.
Taylor said the company is talking with five or six U.S. firms
and a larger number of Canadian companies about teaming up with
Labatt in sports.  Taylor noted that a foreign company can only
own up to 20% of a Canadian broadcaster under current
regulations.  Taylor noted that the strike's end should help ink
these deals sooner (Marina Strauss, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/4).

     Canucks VP of Marketing and Communications Glen Ringdal
resigned yesterday, amid "speculation he would not be invited
back" by Northwest Entertainment Group (NEG after his contract
expires this summer.  The move gives the team "a chance to get
more in tune" with NEG's "progressive" empire, according to Iain
MacIntyre in this morning's VANCOUVER SUN.  MacIntyre reports
that Ringdal "bore the brunt of criticism" for the handling of a
49% ticket price increase this season, and for doing "nothing to
enhance [the team's] image or promote its games."  NEG Exec VP
Tod Lieweke will "add Canuck marketing and communications for his
responsibilities," and Canuck Corporate Sales Director Ric
Thomsen and Media Relations Dir Steve Tambellini will take over
other duties (VANCOUVER SUN, 4/4).

     According to USA TODAY's Danny Sheridan, the Raiders could
be headed for Baltimore for the '95 season.  Sheridan reports
that owner Al Davis has told opponents not to make travel plans
to L.A., "that the Raiders won't be playing this preseason and
regular season in Los Angeles.  He's told the league his first
choice is Baltimore."  Sheridan says Davis' second choice "may be
Oakland."  Sheridan: "I don't think Al's bluffing, because he's
unlikely to get that new stadium in Los Angeles."  NFL Dir of
Communications Greg Aiello says he hasn't heard the rumors of the
Raiders move to either city, but adds:  "In our April 12 meeting
to discuss the Rams, the Raiders' situation is likely to also be
discussed, as it has been.  The big problem is the NFL's presence
in Los Angeles" (Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY, 4/4).