The "expected rubber-stamp approval vote" that would
officially transfer ownership of the Islanders from John
Pickett to John Spano is not on the agenda for this
weekend's NHL Board of Governors meeting in Phoenix --
"though an Islander official said it's just a paperwork
delay, and that the deal is not in jeopardy" (N.Y. POST,
12/11)....In Albany, although PepsiCo won naming rights for
Knickerbocker Arena, Albany County has an option to
"renegotiate the compensation requirements in the event a
professional NBA or NHL sports franchise is obtained for the
facility." Pepsi offered $3M over ten years. Runner-up
KeyBank pledged $2.75M for the same period. Arena GM Robert
Belber said Albany is on the NBA's expansion list but it may
be "wishful thinking" to expect Albany to get the nod,
although "not out of the question" (Albany CAPITAL DISTRICT
BUSINESS REVIEW, 12/9 issue)....In Toronto, Saskatoon could
be the next Canadian addition to the IHL. A "likely
scenario" would see the S.F. Spiders, who suspended
operations for the '96-97 season, transfer to Saskatoon
(Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/11)....Denver-based ad agency
Karsh & Hagan has been named agency of record for the MLS
Rapids (ADWEEK, 11/9 issue)....In St. Louis, Nashville-based
Central Parking Corp. has agreed to pay the Cardinals at
least $75M for the parking garages around Busch Stadium.
Fred Hasner, President of the group that bought the
Cardinals last year: "This will reduce our debt and improve
our balance sheet" (ST. LOUIS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/9 issue).
...The NHL Kings and the YMCA of Metropolitan L.A. are
sponsoring the Kings/YMCA S.K.A.T.E. (Supporting Kids And
Teaching Excellence) program. Over the next six years,
Kings Care Foundation will donate $1M in roller hockey rinks
and equipment to expand youth roller hockey programs at
L.A.'s 24 YMCA branches (Kings)....In "Jerry Maguire," Tom
Cruise's client is a Cardinals WR and the ARIZONA REPUBLIC's
Lee Shappell notes the movies gives the team "enormous free
exposure" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 12/11).
