CHOICES NARROWED FOR SITE OF NEW KINGS' PALACE

     With a September 1, 1999 opening date in mind, the location
of a new L.A. Kings' arena has been narrowed to three possible
sites:  Hollywood Park in Inglewood, the Convention Center, and
downtown land near Chinatown owned by Southern Pacific Railroad,
according to the L.A. TIMES.  Kings Chair Robert Sanderman:
"We've got to name our site by this summer.  We want to get
started on construction in the summer of '97."  Co-Owner Philip
Anschutz is the largest shareholder of Southern Pacific, which is
trying to merge with Union Pacific, but Sanderman does not
believe that deal would impact any proposed plans for a downtown
site.  The Kings plan to employ an architectural firm to study
sites before a final decision.  Sanderman also said he expects to
hire someone to run the "business side" of the team -- namely
marketing and sponsorships -- by the end of April.  One candidate
is Tim Leiweke, former Nuggets President and current CEO of U.S.
Skiing (Lisa Dillman, L.A. TIMES, 4/16).