HAVE RAT WILL TRAVEL: PANTHERS TO BE SHORT-TERM NOMADS?

     Panthers President Bill Torrey said if the team's lease
extension with the Miami Arena is not resolved in "about 10
days," he will explore moving outside South FL for one or two
years, possibly to Portland, according to Barry Jackson of the
MIAMI HERALD.  The arena's owners, the Miami Sports and
Exhibition Authority, rejected a lease worked out between the
team and Leisure Management, the arena manager,  and Torrey has
said the Panthers will not return to Miami Arena without MSEA
approval.  Torrey:  "Go to the Stanley Cup Finals and get evicted
-- that would be a sporting first."  Because of the move to the
new Sunrise arena in '98-99, the Panthers would like a two-year
lease, but MSEA attorney Joe Portuondo wants a longer deal.
Torrey added that moving elsewhere in FL "would be difficult" due
to inadequate facilities (MIAMI HERALD, 7/23).