DIGGING IN THE DIRT: RAPTORS' ARENA HAS GROUNDBREAKING

          Ground-breaking began Tuesday for the Raptors' Air
     Canada Centre, which is slated for completion in February
     '99, according to Mary Ormsby of the TORONTO SUN.  Although
     NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said that "the threat of
     league imposed fines ... were on hold" against the team over
     the arena's construction schedule, he added that if delays
     occur "for reasons that do not satisfy the league, penalties
     against the Raptors will be reassessed" (TORONTO STAR,
     3/13).  Raptors Majority Owner Allan Slaight, on not having
     a joint arena with the Maple Leafs: "I was very nervous in
     the beginning because I didn't think a one-tenant building
     would work. ... [but] there are enough non-Raptors events we
     can attract that will make this building viable" (TORONTO
     SUN, 3/13).  Granik joked that league officials "haven't yet
     started calling it the Air Canada Centre.  They call it
     Russ's Arena, like 'Hey, Russ, how's your arena coming?'"
     (Robert MacLeod, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 3/13).