A survey by the EDMONTON JOURNAL shows that 46 of the
approximately 55 largest businesses in Edmonton own season
tickets or a skybox at the Northlands Coliseum.  However, the
"problem is there aren't enough big companies in the city."  The
JOURNAL's informal survey notes the team's strongest support
comes from the financial community, law firms, breweries and the
media (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 2/3).

     Prospective Pirates buyer Kevin McClatchy finalized sale
documents yesterday for submission to MLB.  McClatchy faces
finding another $5M after one partner dropped out over the
weekend (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 2/6)....Ackerley
Communications reported sales of $235.8M in '95, up 11% from the
previous year, and operating cash flow at $51.1M for the year, up
18%.  Ackerley's sports division includes the Sonics, CISL
SeaDogs and Full House Sports and Entertainment (Ackerley)....A
Cleveland TV station reports Browns QB Vinny Testaverde said the
team will be known as the Baltimore Mustangs next year (Akron
BEACON JOURNAL, 2/6)....The Eagles have increased ticket prices
by $5 for most seats at The Vet.  The only price unaffected is
for 700-level, single-game sales (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 2/6)....USA
Today's David Dupree on a rumored Spurs move: "I don't think the
league will let them go and I don't think they really want to go"
("This Week in the NBA," CNN, 2/4)....The Mighty Ducks are
offering season-ticket holders the opportunity to return tickets
they anticipate being unable to use in order to donate them to
charity (Mighty Ducks)...."Contrary to rumors," the Twins were
never for sale, according to columnist Sid Hartman.  The Pohlad
family will continue to own the team until a decision is made on
a new stadium (Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE, 2/4)....The Saints
announced they will lower ticket prices for next season for
terrace level seats and keep other prices the same.  Terrace
seats drop from $30 to $25 (NEW ORLEANS TIMES-PICAYUNE,
2/3)....More on the Bullets' five finalists for the team's name
change.  WASHINGTON POST columnist Tony Kornheiser, on the
proposed "Express":  "It's such an obvious tie in with Federal
Express or American Express" (WASHINGTON POST, 2/6).

     The Magic unveiled plans yesterday for Magic Carpet
Aviation, the newest business in the Greater Orlando Aviation
Authority's Tradeport Center.  The business, a division of the
Magic's parent company, RDV Sports, will be "transportation
center" for the team and company with plans to start a worldwide
charter service.  A central feature is the 34,000-square foot
Magic Carpet Aviation hangar, home to the team's Boeing 737.
Magic President Bob Vander Weide:  "As the popularity of the
Magic continues to grow and the organization expands, we continue
to make steps in fulfilling our vision to be recognized as the
professional sports model of the twenty-first century."  RDV
Sports includes the Magic, the IHL Solar Bears and Magic FanAttic
stores.  The team also has plans for a Health/Sports Center
(Magic).  In Orlando, Tom Povtak reports, "Although Vander Weide
does not anticipate the charter service becoming a big
moneymaker, he said it will offset current operating costs of the
aircraft and generate new revenue."  The estimated cost of the
hangar is $4M.  It will also include a high-tech conference
center (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 2/6).

     The MLB Rangers, who experienced a drop of 12,792 fans per
game last season, are banking on improved player-owner relations
and marketing to raise attendance.  Susan Slusser reports in the
DALLAS MORNING NEWS that the team needs to raise their per-game
average by approximately 3,200 to meet break-even revenue
projections.  The club has commissioned surveys, increased
efforts to make players more-visible in the community, added off-
season events at The Ballpark and changed ticket package options,
along with hiring an ad agency, the Richards Group (DALLAS
MORNING NEWS, 2/3).

     Seahawks Owner Ken Behring said last night that his L.A.-
bound team "will train in Anaheim and hopes to play its home
games in Pasadena's Rose Bowl next year," according to this
morning's SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER.  While King County was
threatening to sue any city that signs a deal with Behring, the
P-I reports Behring "showed every sign of setting up a bidding
war between Los Angeles-area communities that want to provide the
team's permanent home."  Yesterday, Behring met with L.A. Mayor
Richard Riordan, City Council President John Ferraro and Steve
Soboroff, co-chair of the mayorally appointed Football LA task
force.  Also, a news conference with Anaheim officials was
cancelled yesterday, although Behring is set to meet with them
today (Boren, Penhale & Bruscas, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER,
2/6).
     BIG A, BIG HOPES:  While the L.A. TIMES reported that
Anaheim had the "inside track" on landing the Seahawks for the
long-term, the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER was reporting that Behring
"dashed" the hopes of Anaheim official that they would have an
exclusive six-month negotiating window with the team (L.A. TIMES,
2/6; ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 2/6).
     SOME WELCOME MAT:  As for the NFL and the Football LA task
force, the TIMES reports that they "continue to go about their
business as if Behring never left Seattle."  Mayor Riordan:  "I
never feel comfortable taking something away from another city.
... Obviously, I don't want them to come."  Football LA Chair
Fred Rosen:  "We have allied ourselves with the NFL and we are
playing by the rules.  We're not sure the Seahawks have the right
to move here or to Anaheim."  In Anaheim, Disney officials had
reservations about the possibility of the team playing interim
games at Anaheim Stadium.  Disney is currently negotiating with
the city over renovations to Anaheim Stadium -- on which hinges
the company's deal to purchase a controlling interest in the MLB
team.  Disney Sports President Tony Tavares:  "At some point they
won't be able to play football in that stadium because of the
renovations that are going on.  If it would prevent us from
starting our work, I would object."  Anaheim City Manager Jim
Ruth, on the Disney factor:  "It's just another thing in the
hopper" (T.J. Simers, L.A. TIMES, 2/6).
     LOCAL BUYERS?  King County officials "continued to cling to
fading hopes" that Behring would sell to a local buyer.  Added to
Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen were the names of former Seahawks
Coach Chuck Knox (who issued a denial) and Nike Chair Phil Knight
(who was not in Seattle as reported, but at Atlanta's Super
Show).  AT&T Wireless Senior VP Bob Ratcliffe responded to rumors
a group of high-tech execs would combine for an offer by saying
that no one "was interested in getting in a bidding war with Mr.
Allen" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 2/6).  The SEATTLE TIMES
examines past relations with the Behrings (Schaefer & Serrano,
SEATTLE TIMES, 2/5).  ESPN noted the team had no comment
yesterday other than a video release from David Behring.
Behring:  "The true problem that everybody seems to be
sidestepping right now is the Kingdome.  The more we examined the
Kingdome over the course of the last year and a half, the more
problems we found" ("SportsCenter," 2/5).
     NORTHWEST EXPRESS:  B.C. Lions Owner Bill Comrie floated the
possibility of putting an NFL team in Vancouver to operate in
conjunction with his CFL team.  Officials from Orca Bay, owner of
the Canucks and Grizzlies, expressed interest in Comrie's idea
(Vancouver PROVINCE, 2/6).
     DOESN'T THE PRESIDENT HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS?  King County
Exec Gary Locke is in DC today to meet with President Clinton on
unrelated matters.  He said, however, that he would raise the
issue of franchise instability and its effect on cities and fans
and push for antitrust legislation currently before Congress
(L.A. TIMES, 2/6).