NETS LOOK TO DEVILS LEASE AS STARTING POINT IN NEW TALKS

          While the Nets want a new lease at the Continental
     Airlines Arena to begin in 2000, N.J. Sports & Exposition
     Authority spokesperson John Samerjan said that "it was
     likely that terms of the lease would change" from the
     existing lease that expires in 2020,  according to Richard
     Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES.  There are two windows in which
     the lease can be renegotiated -- 2000 and 2004.  Nets
     President Michael Rowe said while the team won't "head into
     the discussions with moving in mind," it would "be willing
     to listen to any ideas for a new arena or a redesign by the
     sports authority."  The Nets will use the Devils' '95 lease
     as a starting point on talks.  Rowe: "We want more than what
     they got.  They negotiated their lease two years ago, and
     the cost of running business of a hockey team is less than
     the cost of running a basketball team" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/8).