DALLAS BUSINESSMAN SPANO BUYS HALF OF STARS FROM GREEN

     Dallas businessman John Spano is leading a group of
investors that will buy 50% of the Stars from Owner Norman Green
for a "an excess of" $40M, according to the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.
Spano, 31, owns Bison Group, a company that purchases heavy
equipment such as aircraft, then leases it to other companies.
He reportedly has at least three other partners.  Stars President
Jim Lites said the sale will "not alter" the management
structure.  Spano, who has "a relationship" with Mavs Owner Don
Carter, "could be pivotal in bringing the franchises together" in
the pursuit of a new arena (Cowlishaw & Egan, DALLAS MORNING
NEWS, 9/16).  An NHL source says that the group will pay $35M for
its half share.  The club reportedly lost $30M over the past five
years.  Spano's involvement, after a year of searching for other
investors, is expected "to stabilize the Stars financially" (Mike
Heika, FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/16).