Over 8,700 fans welcomed the new NHL team to Colorado at a
"Break the Ice" party.  CO Gov. Roy Romer, who declared yesterday
"Break the Ice Day" in the state, introduced team captain Joe
Sakic as Joe "Kasic."  Team Exec VP Shawn Hunter said they have
received deposits for 12,000 season tickets, their cutoff point,
but will continue to accept deposits in case of cancellations
(Adrian Dater, DENVER POST, 7/6).
     GOING THE WAY OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE?  The IHL Denver
Grizzlies will reportedly move to Salt Lake City, according to
Adrian Dater in this morning's DENVER POST.  Grizzlies workers
were told by team President Bernie Mullen yesterday that a move
to Salt Lake "appears imminent."  Owner David Elmore is in Salt
Lake today and tomorrow, and sources report a press conference
may be held as early as tomorrow. Although Salt Lake was Elmore's
first choice, he has "had some sticky negotiations" with Delta
Center/Jazz Owner Larry Miller over the length of a Grizzlies
lease.  Sources in Denver say Miller "will relent" on his five-
year demand because he wants hockey back in Utah (DENVER POST,
7/6).

     The Oakland City Council gave its first vote on the Raiders
deal "swift and sure" approval by a 6-0 margin and without any
opposition, writes Sandy Kleffman in this morning's SN JOSE
MERCURY NEWS.  The meeting was the first public hearing on the
plan and stood "in sharp contrast" to a hearing in '90 when the
council was debating "hefty revenue guarantees" to lure them
back.  City officials eventually withdrew that plan "in the face
of taxpayer revolt and a referendum drive" (S.J. MERCURY NEWS,
7/6).
     LAND-MINES AHEAD?  Peter Fimrite reports in this morning's
S.F. CHRONICLE that league sources say there is "little chance"
the Raiders' move will be blocked.  "There is, however, one
influential barrier to the deal: the 49ers management."  Fimrite
also reports that Giants Owner Wellington Mara is expected to
join the 49ers "in either trying to block the move or demand
reparations."  However, "rejection of the Raiders deal could
severely hamper" negotiating leverage for teams such as the
Browns, Cards, Oilers and Skins, who are looking for new
stadiums.  Davis "has assured" local officials he will "handle
the politics" of the NFL when owners meet July 14 (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 7/6).
     DAVIS GOES PUBLIC:  Davis has scheduled a homecoming
appearance in Oakland today at a public meeting with Oakland and
Alameda County officials (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/6).
     LOYALTY DEFINED:  The Raiders announced yesterday that they
have revised their policy of no priorities for their new season
ticket holders and will give priority to the approximately 500 of
season ticket holders who stuck with the team through their move
to L.A. (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/6).