In Miami today, U.S. District Court Judge Michael Moore is
expected to decide where the NHL Panthers will play next season,
according to Larry Lebowitz of the Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL.
Panthers Owner Wayne Huizenga is asking for enforcement of "a
disputed lease extension the club signed on May 30, allowing the
team to play two more seasons at Miami Arena while a new arena is
built in Sunrise." The Miami Sports and Exhibition Authority
contend that "the lease extension isn't valid because Huizenga
controls both the Panthers and the management company [Decoma
Miami Associates] that negotiated it." The SUN-SENTINEL's
Lebowitz notes "a settlement does not seem imminent" (Ft.
Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 8/22)....Agent David Falk was
interviewed by the MIAMI HERALD for the first time since the
Juwan Howard episode. Falk said the Heat did not blatantly
violate the NBA's salary cap but "got a little over-aggressive.
The NBA felt they violated the cap in spirit. On the surface, it
seems unfair" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/20)....MD Stadium Authority Chair
John Moag said Bucs Owner Malcolm Glazer was offered the same
stadium package the Browns later accepted to move to Baltimore.
Moag: "I made it known to him [Glazer] we'd love to have him, and
we had discussions with him. But he was very intent on wanting
to stay." Bucs GM Rich McKay confirmed Moag's interest: "We told
him (Moag) on more than one occasion we weren't interested"
(TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/21).
