After the Leafs failed to reach an agreement with the
city of Toronto on an arena at Union Station, sources tell
Craig Daniels of the TORONTO SUN that the team "is now
aiming to acquire the rights to build at Exhibition Place."
But Daniels reports that a group called Sportcom 2000
"already has received tentative endorsement" for a C$520M
project, which would include a 12,500-seat arena for an IHL
team, a complex to house Tennis Canada, four ice rinks,
hotels and theaters. Sources "familiar with the Sportcom
project" told Daniels that it "already has several six-
figure sponsorships in place ... and simply requires the go-
ahead" from the Joint Working Group. Another source said
that the Leafs "might end up joining forces with Sportcom"
(TORONTO SUN, 7/22). An editorial in the TORONTO STAR
credits city officials' for their refusal to sell the Union
Station land for a price below market value: "The city's
position is a refreshing change from the norm across North
America, where cities have become hostages to the greed of
professional sport franchises" (TORONTO STAR, 7/22).
