Whalers President Jim Rutherford said there are three
"significant factors" for the club to remain in Hartford after
next season: Increased revenue from the Civic Center; a fivefold
increase in TV revenue -- now $1M per year; and increased
attendance during the '96-97 season. Rutherford: "We still have
a chance of making it here. ... But the three factors have to
evolve and evolve quickly, in a span of the next 3-6 months. This
type of decision, you can't leave it to the very end. We're in a
critical period now" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/27)....David Braley, the
former owner of the CFL Hamilton Tiger Cats, is expected to be
introduced tomorrow as the new owner of the financially troubled
B.C. Lions (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/29)....Citing the "response
of the community," Akron, OH Class AA Owner Mike Agganis has
agreed to change the club's nickname from "Blast" (Akron BEACON
JOURNAL, 10/29)....The Eagles are considering moving their
training camp from Lehigh University to the University of
Delaware next summer. Eagles VP Joe Banner: "We had a couple of
concerns that we felt were very minor. They said they were
unable to make those adjustments. To say the least, we are
shocked" (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 10/28).
