BankBoston, in an effort to participate more actively
     in the business of sports finance, yesterday announced a
     partnership in which it will invest and hold a minority
     interest in Boston-based sports consulting firm Game Plan
     LLC.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Founded in '95
     by attorney Robert Caporale and former Patriot Randy Vataha,
     Game Plan's clients include the All American Football
     League, for which it serves as a consultant.  The company
     also recently assisted in the sale of 50% of the Penguins
     (Game Plan/BankBoston).  In Boston, Tina Cassidy reports
     that BankBoston finances the Patriots, Stars and Eagles. 
     However, Vice Chair Paul Hogan said that its lending
     portfolio is "relatively small," in the $100M range, and the
     bank "hopes to boost" that portfolio with the Game Plan
     venture.  Caporale will leave his law partnership at Brown
     Rudnick Freed & Gesmer and will move Game Plan offices out
     of the firm and into space at BankBoston's headquarters. 
     Game Plan will retain its name (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/18).