In MA, PR execs, lobbyists and "assorted other experts
     on the art of the deal are lining up at the door" of the Red
     Sox, offering the club help in building a new ballpark,
     according to Anthony Flint of the BOSTON GLOBE.  But the
     team has not "enlisted anyone's aid, despite the need to lay
     groundwork for such a massive project -- raising further
     speculation that the club may be happy for the moment with
     the status quo, or is preparing to sell the team before
     beginning any stadium construction."  While the team has
     "prepared plans" that show what their ballpark needs would
     be, it hasn't "taken what many regard as the critical step; 
     marshalling political support in City Hall and on Beacon
     Hill, doing community outreach and shaping an image for the
     team for the next century.  And that's where Boston's
     dealmakers are clamoring to help" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/2).
          KEEP YOUR SOX ON:  One source close to the team said
     the Red Sox "need to step back and say yes, this is a
     wonderful asset that we have, and there's incredible
     attachment in this community for this team, but that this
     issue doesn't get resolved at the emotional level.  This is
     a financial, land-use and political issue.  And they really
     do need help."  Among those mentioned as possible advisors
     include Larry Moulter, former FleetCenter Chair now at Woolf
     Assoc.  Regarding a possible sale, sources close to the Red
     Sox say "there is no plan whatsoever to sell the team," but
     that they are "merely moving slowly" after seeing the
     stadium troubles of the Patriots (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/2).

          MA-based Staples has agreed to pay $100M over 20 years
     for the naming rights to L.A.'s downtown arena complex
     scheduled to open in fall '99.  The facility will be named
     the Staples Center, and the company will also be awarded
     marketing, promotional and signage rights, community-based
     programs -- including the Staples Center Foundation which
     will raise $1M for inner-city kids -- and various amenities
     in Staples Center over the next 20 years (Staples).  DC-
     based ProServ, which was retained by the NHL Kings,
     negotiated the rights deal (ProServ).  The facility will
     seat 20,000 for basketball, 19,000 for hockey; includes 162
     suites and 2,500 club seats (L.A. TIMES, 12/2).
          REAX: In L.A., Randy Harvey notes the visibility of the
     arena, and writes that "one reason Staples paid so dearly
     for the naming rights is that the arena will be at the
     interchange of the 10 and 110 freeways" (L.A. TIMES, 12/2). 
     In N.Y., Stefan Fatsis writes that at $5M per year, the
     Staples Center naming rights deal "raises the bar even
     higher."  ISI President Frank Vuono: "It's a dynamic market
     and a dual-purpose facility" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/2). 
     Developers are also looking for "an additional 10-12 smaller
     founding sponsors that will result in arena signage" (Marc
     Pollack, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 12/2).
 

          Maple Leafs Majority Owner Steve Stavro said that he is
     "firmly committed" to building a new arena at Exhibition
     Place on Toronto's waterfront, according to Gail Swainson of
     the TORONTO STAR.  Stavro, speaking to Metro Toronto's
     financial priorities committee, said the team is "focusing
     exclusively" on the site.  Swainson writes that "[w]ith his
     unequivocal statements, Stavro ... seemed to finally put to
     bed" the rumors that his club could still join the Raptors
     at Air Canada Centre.  Stavro told the Metro committee, "I
     give you my word" that the Leafs "are not engaged in talks"
     with the Raptors.  He added he will only join with the
     Raptors if the Leafs control the site.  Stavro: "Hockey
     can't be second, it's the number one sport."  The committee
     approved the team's Exhibition Place proposal, which now
     goes to Metro Council December 10.  The committee asked the
     Leafs for a luxury box to be used by city officials and
     asked for traffic and public transit studies to determine
     whether upgrades are required (TORONTO STAR, 12/2).

          The MCI Center will open tonight with the Sonics-
     Wizards game, to be seen live on TNT.  The game sold out
     "late yesterday" and will be televised locally on WUSA-TV. 
     President Clinton will attend (WASHINGTON POST, 12/2).  An
     editorial in today's WASHINGTON POST states that Washington
     Sports Chair Abe Pollin, "an old Washingtonian who no doubt
     remembers downtown when it was the place to be, has made a
     good investment in the city's future based on respect for
     and understanding of its past."  In addition, DC columnist
     Thomas Boswell: "As everyone will soon see, MCI Center is an
     unpretentious jewel that maximizes everything about its
     fabulously energized location. ... As a sports facility, MCI
     Center is clean, simple, pretty and, perhaps, the coziest
     20,000-seat building in the country" (WASHINGTON POST 12/2).