ESPN's Dan Patrick reported the Pirates sale to Kevin
McClatchy has apparently hit a few last-minute snags, but
McClatchy said "baseball isn't going to let this thing come
undone over a couple of million dollars" ("SportsCenter," 1/9).
McClatchy is still several million dollars short of the debt-to-
equity ratio set by MLB, and some Pittsburgh Council members are
questioning his interest in staying in town if he gets MLB's
approval to buy the club (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/10)....Snow
postponed a conference between CFL Stallions Owner Jim Speros and
Baltimore city officials to discuss the fate of the CFL champs.
Speros previously said he would keep the team in Baltimore if
20,000 fans pledged money for '96 season tickets by Monday. The
drive only produced 13,000 ticket requests (Montreal GAZETTE,
1/10). Speros said it would take a "stroke of luck" for him to
stay in Baltimore (TORONTO SUN, 1/10)....Raiders tickets will be
marketed much differently next season, according to the S.F.
CHRONICLE. Meetings are planned with season-ticket holders to
address complaints and answer questions concerning group seating
and marketing strategies (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/4)....The Sabres have
been meeting with their Canadian Advisory Board as part of the
team's continuing efforts to improve relations with Ontario fans
(Sabres).
