In Portland, Steve Brandon reports that either the NHL or
IHL could be coming. Marshall Glickman, President of Oregon
Arena Corp., reportedly was in New York recently on "hockey
matters," which included a visit to NHL Commissioner Gary
Bettman. And, according to sources, Bettman has been
"practically begging" Blazers Chair Paul Allen to join the
league. Allen and the Arena Corp., however, are "are taking just
as close a look at the IHL." Arena officials believe an IHL club
would "make money" in Portland while filling 45-plus Rose Garden
dates. Brandon notes that an IHL team also "would not be a
financial threat" to the Blazers. In addition to ongoing
consideration of the NHL, the Arena Corp.'s lease with the WHL
Winter Hawks "stands in the way" of an IHL team coming in '96-97.
The 20-year lease, which took effect last year, permits Arena
Corp. to lease the Rose Garden to an NHL team, but not an IHL
team, without the Hawks' permission (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/20).
IS NIKE READY FOR NHL OWNERSHIP? Brandon also reports
that the "word in hockey circles is that Nike Inc. has
considered applying for an expansion team that would play in
Portland." Nike spokesperson Vizhier Corpuz denied the
reports saying the company has "nothing in the works"
regarding ownership of an NHL club (OREGONIAN, 6/20).
