POLLIN CONFIRMS MCI CENTER MAY BE DELAYED

          Bullets & Capitals Owner Abe Pollin said yesterday it
     is possible that the MCI Center may not open in time for the
     start of the '97 hockey and basketball season, according to
     Maryann Haggerty of the WASHINGTON POST.  Pollin: "I've said
     all along it will open in the fall of 1997, and it will open
     in the fall of 1997.  When in the fall of 1997 will
     obviously depend on the kind of winter we have."  Pollin has
     "not yet made plans" on how to handle ticket holders if the
     arena opens late as the MCI Center will have several
     thousand more seats than the Bullets and Caps present home,
     USAir Arena. Haggerty reports a "tight" construction
     schedule was set back when workers found "unforseen
     problems" during excavation, including high levels of soil
     contamination (WASHINGTON POST, 12/20).  
          GALLERY PLACE: Pollin released plans for his "National
     Sports Gallery" at the MCI Center. The Gallery will consist
     of a sports memorabilia museum and high-tech amusement
     attraction (WASHINGTON POST, 12/20).