EDMONTON MAYOR QUESTIONS WHETHER OILERS WILL STAY LOCAL

          Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith said that the Canadian city
     "might be unable to find buyers to keep" the Oilers from
     relocating, according to Neil Hohlfeld of the HOUSTON
     CHRONICLE.  Smith: "There's no question there are people and
     corporations in Edmonton that have the ability to do it. 
     The question is whether as astute businessmen they are
     willing to do it."  Hohlfeld writes that if a formal bid by
     any outside interest for the team is made through Canadian
     investment banking firm Midland, Walwyn, then Edmonton
     "interest will have a 60-day window to match that offer." 
     While a term of the Oilers' lease at the Edmonton Coliseum
     states the city has the right to buy the team for $70M if
     the club goes into receivership, Mayor Bill Smith "doubts"
     the team will go into receivership, but "says the city will
     not buy the team and operate it as a municipal franchise." 
     Smith: "The city will not use tax dollars to run a sports
     franchise" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/20).