FAR FRUM OVER: NAMES OF NEW JAYS BIDDER BEGIN TO EMERGE

          Greg Sorbara, a former Ontario cabinet member, and
     Lawrence Dale, who was VP/Business Development & General
     Counsel for SkyDome from '91 until he left last month,
     confirmed "that they are part of a consortium attempting to
     buy" the Blue Jays, according to Tony Van Alphen of the
     TORONTO STAR.  Dale said that he "initiated and is leading"
     the group, which has "at least" six investors, "including
     two former owners" of "major" U.S. sports franchises, one of
     whom "previously owned" an MLB team.  Sorbara, a real estate
     developer, said that he would be a minority shareholder, and
     would be "putting up his own money" if the group's bid is
     successful.  Dale: "All I can say is that we have the
     financial ability to complete a deal for the Jays and the
     expertise to operate a franchise of this stature.  That's
     critical to the team and the fans" (TORONTO STAR, 10/23). 
     In Toronto, Stephen Brunt writes that the "sands seem to be
     shifting" in terms of the Jays deal, and that "despite the
     continuing optimistic talk from [Murray] Frum, there remain
     indications that ... the proposition is a whole lot more
     complicated than it first appeared" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/23).