There is "renewed optimism that there will be one home"
for the Raptors and Maple Leafs, according to Larry Millson
of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL. The two sides "will talk
again" now that Raptors VP/GM Isiah Thomas has a letter of
intent allowing him to buy majority interest in the team
from Allan Slaight. Leafs Owner Steve Stavro sent Thomas a
message yesterday: "Hoping to meet you in the near future."
Thomas said there although there are "some major issues that
we will encounter ... He (Stavro) and I are committed to
trying to find a way ... to make this happen" (GLOBE & MAIL,
4/23). Even as Thomas assumes control of the Raptors and
talks with Stavro about arena plans, "a third figure looms
large in the background," according to David Isrealson of
the TORONTO STAR. MLG part-Owner Larry Tanenbaum "is
quietly waiting in the wings," and it is "still unclear"
what role he will play in the arena talks. Tanenbaum, in
Israel, said he had "no designs on the Raptors franchise
itself, other than helping the team build a new arena
together with the Leafs" (TORONTO STAR, 4/23).
