SACRAMENTO MAYOR TAKING TOUGH LOOK ON FUTURE OF KINGS

          Sacramento Mayor Joe Serna Jr. said "the city should
     not have to go it alone" in its effort to keep the NBA Kings
     in town, according to Tony Bizjak of the SACRAMENTO BEE. 
     Serna said "he probably will ask county officials to help
     back a deal with county collateral."  Negotiations were
     scheduled to begin yesterday between the Kings and the city. 
     Serna: "If we do lose the Kings, it'll be many decades
     before we get another professional (sports) team in
     Sacramento."   A "source close to the team" said the Kings
     are losing about $5M per year.  Serna refused to comment on
     the Kings financial situation, but said he will require any
     deal be based an independent audit.  Serna: "We need numbers
     that are verifiable, that both the Kings and city agree on. 
     The only way to do that is by a third party and totally open
     to the public" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 1/23).