DOES BROWN'S WIN IN SAN FRANCISCO MEAN TROUBLE FOR 3COM?

     Although 3Com is closing in on a deal to keep their name on
the former Candlestick Park, the election of Willie Brown as San
Francisco Mayor "could stall the process," according to the SAN
JOSE MERCURY NEWS.  Brown has been critical of the deal, in which
3Com paid $500,000 for the rights to stadium's name for this NFL
season.  A separate deal worth $3.5M to extend the name until the
end of the century still must be approved by the city's Board of
Supervisors.  Brown thinks the city could have struck a better
deal, but spokesperson P.J. Johnson not to expect any action on
the issue until after Brown's January 8 inauguration.  But Hal
Kahn notes, "whatever leverage Brown may have had" in seeking a
higher price is weakened by the fact potential 3Com rivals have
not made offers.  Not one proposal has emerged from the more than
100 companies sought in early September (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS,
12/18).