SPIRIT OF MANITOBA MEETS WITH NHL IN NEW YORK

     Spirit of Manitoba officials met yesterday with NHL
Commissioner Gary Bettman in a session that "opened a line of
communication between the Winnipeg group and the people who will
have the final word on whether professional hockey stays in
Manitoba," writes John Douglas in this morning's WINNIPEG FREE
PRESS.  Spirit officials, including Chair Alan Sweatman and
President Cam Osler, told the league about their plan to raise
C$80M, including C$30M for an endowment fund to cover the team's
future losses until a new arena is built.  NHL VP/Public
Relations Arthur Pincus stressed that Bettman does not have the
final say on the Jets deal.  However, Pincus said Bettman is "a
pretty good hammer to have on your side if you've got to go
before the board of governors" (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 7/21).