IHL'S S.F. SPIDERS TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS FOR '96-97

     The San Francisco Spiders will suspend operations, as team
owner David Pasant will use the upcoming season to seek investors
or a new buyer for the club (IHL).  According to this morning's
S.F. CHRONICLE, the Spiders "have drawn interest" from groups in
Oakland, Sacramento, Nashville, and Tacoma.  One source said it
is possible the team could resurface in Oakland when the
renovated Coliseum Arena is finished.  Kevin Gallant, Spiders Dir
of Media Relations and Broadcasting:  "The budget had gone out of
whack, and revenue didn't come in.  We had a huge shortfall -- a
lot of the things we did didn't work.  I can't believe how mich
money we spent" (Tony Cooper, S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/25).