In Baltimore, columnist John Steadman reports that Ex-Browns
Owner Art Modell told retired sportscaster Vince Bagli he was
"ready to offer" $5M to the Irsays for the rights to "Colts."
Rumored names for the Baltimore franchise: Ravens and Rhinos
(Baltimore SUN, 2/25).... Baltimore WR Andre Rison wore a UNC
basketball warm-up on "Up Close" Friday because he wants Modell
to choose Carolina Blue as the franchise's new color (ESPN,
2/23)....Bucs execs met with officials from Tampa and Osceola
County this weekend as the team-imposed March 1 deadline for a
new stadium looms (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 2/25)....Speculation in South
FL is that Panthers Owner Wayne Huizenga may keep the NHL club if
a new arena is built (MIAMI HERALD, 2/23). ....The Ft. Wayne
Wizards of the Class A Midwest League may sue the Bullets over
their name change. However, NBA Dir/Marketing Communications
Peter Land "doubts" Ft. Wayne can has a copyright infringement
claim (AP/Baltimore SUN, 2/24)....The Mariners announced they
will bump a number of groups that had put deposits down to attend
opening night due to high demand among new season ticket holders
(TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE, 2/24)....Houston's Arena Football League
franchise will be known as the Texas Terror (HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
2/24)....The AHL Baltimore Bandits reportedly will be sold to a
local group this week. The NJ-based ownership group headed by
Bob Teck and Alan Gertner is said to be having financial
difficulties (Baltimore SUN, 2/26)....Pirates ticket sales are up
100,000 over last season, and the club is selling 45-50 new
season tickets a day (AP/S.J. MERCURY NEWS, 2/24).
