RUMORS HAVE RAPTORS AND MAPLE LEAFS JOINING ON ARENA

     The Maple Leafs Gardens Board of Directors met yesterday and
approved a ticket price increase by an average of 9.9%.  Gold
seats will rise from C$82.50 to C$90, reds from C$60 to C$68,
blues from C$41 to C$43 and greens from C$38 to C$42.  MLG gave
"the usual reasons for the hikes," rising costs and Canadian
teams competing with the U.S. dollar (Frank Orr, TORONTO STAR,
6/25).
     NEW ARENA PLANS: Ground-breaking on the Raptors new arena
has reportedly been put on hold because of a possible partnership
with the Leafs, according to Craig Daniels of the TORONTO SUN.  A
source close to MLG's board did not know if "merger talks were
stalling the oft-delayed construction start of the Air Canada
Centre, but did indicate that merger discussions of some kind
were under way."  A Toronto construction source confirmed the
Raptors "were on the verge of sending out invitations to a
ground-breaking ceremony" for their new facility (TORONTO SUN,
6/25).