TORONTO GLOBE & MAIL HAS BITOVE BACK IN CHASE FOR RAPTORS

          Former Raptors President and part Owner John Bitove
     Jr.'s absence from the team will be "short-lived," sources
     tell Marty York of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL.  A source close
     to the Bitove family: "It's not a matter of if John will be
     back running and owning the franchise but when he will be
     back."  Bitove and his family recently sold their shares in
     the Hard Rock Cafe establishments in Canada, reportedly
     making about US$68.5M in the process, and York's sources say
     Bitove plans to use the money to buy back the team.  Bitove
     sold his 39.5% stake in the Raptors to Allan Slaight, who
     also owned 39.5%, when Slaight triggered a shotgun clause in
     their agreement last October (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/29).