ROAD SIGNS NOT CONSIDERED ERICSSON ADS

     The NC Dept. of Transportation has ruled that signs
directing fans to Ericsson Stadium are not advertisements for the
telecom company, according to the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER.  DOT
official Tom Thrower:  "We determined since it is the actual name
of the facility, it would not be outdoor advertising."  Ericsson,
which paid $20M for naming right, paid nothing to have its name
put on 42 signs throughout the Charlotte area (Dianne Whitacre,
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/28).  Only 3,500 upper-deck PSLs remain
unsold following an open house this weekend.  Panthers Dir of
Business Operations Mark Richardson promised a plan regarding the
NFL's blackout rule should all PSLs not sell out by the start of
the season (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/29).  Thirty-five thousand fans
attended a special Panthers' practice session at the stadium
Saturday.  Despite minor traffic and stadium glitches, the
facility received "rave reviews" (Tony Brown, CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
7/28).