MAVS AND STARS MAY BE CLOSE TO A DALLAS ARENA DEAL

          Top Dallas officials met Tuesday with Stars and
     Mavericks officials, "suggesting to some that the parties
     may be close to striking an arena deal," according to Todd
     Gillman of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.  Dallas City Council
     members said the city "seems to be emerging victorious after
     days of meetings" and Stars Owner Tom Hicks "reinforced that
     belief."  Hicks: "We're closer than we've ever been before. 
     I think if things are going to come together, they're going
     to come together in the next few days."  Mavs Owner Ross
     Perot Jr. met with Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, and a "high-
     level Cowboys official" said Perot wanted to discuss a
     possible joint arena-football stadium with Jones. Stars and
     Mavs execs "called the idea unlikely" (MORNING NEWS, 10/1).