Despite the recent breakdown of talks between owners of
the Mavericks and Stars, "top Dallas officials remained
optimistic" yesterday about efforts to construct a new
downtown arena, according to Todd Gillman of the DALLAS
MORNING NEWS. Mayor Ron Kirk acknowledged that talks to
replace Reunion Arena "would be easier" if the team owners
were "on speaking terms" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/13).
WAITING GAME: MORNING NEWS Columnist Randy Galloway
notes "one theory" on the arena posturing is that Mavs Owner
Ross Perot will "wait out" Stars Owner Tom Hicks and
"eventually" purchase the Stars, "therefore eliminating all
control questions in a new arena." Galloway: "Hicks,
obviously, does not take kindly to such speculation and
offers the notion the Stars will build their own arena,
which doesn't make financial sense." Galloway writes that
there is "no answer" to the arena question as long as Perot
or Hicks keep their current positions. Galloway: "Since
Perot is in no hurry, and Hicks is, Perot apparently holds
the upper hand" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/13).
WHO SAYS FRIENDS DON'T GET ALONG? With an American
Airlines strike pending, the Stars will fly on the Mavs'
charter when they return from San Jose after playing the
Sharks on February 18. The Stars "are looking into" leasing
the Mavs' charter the next road trip if the AA strike
proceeds (Tim Cowlishaw, DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/13).
