MARINERS REPORT FINANCIAL LOSS OF $13.1M IN '96

          The "surging popularity" of the Mariners made '96 the
     team's best financial year yet, but an audit released by the
     team shows a loss of $13.1M, according to Heath Foster in
     the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER.  Team revenues in '96
     totaled $57.7M, topping the previous high of $42.5M in '93. 
     Attendance in '96 was a franchise record 2.7 million and the
     team brought in an $8.1M share of MLB's national TV and
     radio advertising this year, up from $4.7M in '95.  Local
     broadcasting revenues were at $7.2M in '96, up from $4.7M in
     '95.  The team's payroll was $39.5M in '96, $10M more than
     in '95 (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 2/12).