OAKLAND HOPES AN EXTRA $1M WILL MAKE PRACTICE PERFECT

     In an effort to keep the Warriors in town and give local
businesses a boost, the City of Oakland is considering paying $1M
to help build a downtown practice facility for the team,
according to the S.F. CHRONICLE.  If allocated by the City
Council, the $1M would be added to $3.5M in bond money approved
for the same purpose last month.  The extra million, which the
Warriors would not have to repay, would cover the cost of design
changes requested by the city.  Original plans called for the
practice structure to be built on top of the Oakland Convention
Center.  However, city officials now view the facility as part of
a downtown development project that includes a new convention
center (Thaai Walker, S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/30).