Winning the Stanley Cup will put the Avalanche "in prime
position" to raise the prices of corporate sponsorships, TV and
radio rights, as well as increasing leverage in the team's plan
to ask the city of Denver for public financing for the proposed
Pepsi Center.  Michele Conklin of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS writes
because most Avalanche sponsors signed one-year deals in '95-96
due to an unproven fan support, Ascent Entertainment Group,
owners of the team, will be able to renegotiate with sponsors
this  offseason, as well as the team's TV contract with KTVD and
Prime, which had one-year deals.  Steve Sander, President of
Sander/GBSM and a consultant to Ascent, estimates the team will
earn up to 50% more in corporate sponsorships in its second
season (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 6/11).

     Paul Allen said he will not exercise his option to purchase
the Seahawks if a tax increase to build a new stadium in Seattle
is not supported (USA TODAY, 6/12)....The Rangers recently sold
their 2 millionth ticket for the '96 season, putting them on pace
to set a single-season attendance record (FORT WORTH STAR-
TELEGRAM, 6/12)....Senior citizens, age 55 and over, will be
allowed to run the bases at the conclusion of the White Sox's
game tonight (White Sox).  The Twins will give away pagers to the
first 5,000 fans who attend Friday's game against Detroit
(Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE, 6/11)....The El Paso Diablos have been
sold to Diamond Sports Group, becoming the third minor league
club managed by Diamond (Diamond Sports).