RAPTORS-MAPLE LEAFS ARENA DEAL REPORTEDLY ON THE SLAIGHT

          Sources close to Maple Leafs Owner Steve Stavro say
     that he "realizes ... that a partnership with the Raptors on
     a single arena is the best way" for his team to proceed, but
     that his "personal dislike" for Raptors Owner Allan Slaight
     is a "considerable obstacle," according to Shoalts & Grange
     of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL.  Shoalts & Grange added that
     Stavro "wants any partnership to be formed on his terms,"
     and at present believes that he can "wait out" Slaight, and
     when the Raptors Owner "tires of the expense" of building an
     arena and maintaining his team, Stavro can "step in to buy
     majority control of the Raptors and the arena for a relative
     song."  Another "scenario put forward" has Slaight selling
     control of the Raptors to MLG Minority Partner Larry
     Tanenbaum and selling the Air Canada Centre to a "new
     company that would jointly be owned by the Leafs and
     Raptors" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 11/29).  Raptors President
     Richard Peddie "didn't rule out the Leafs coming into" the
     Air Canada Centre "at some future date," but he and Slaight
     "denied" that any talks were ongoing between the two
     franchises (Chris Young, TORONTO STAR, 11/28).