A Federal grand-jury investigation of 49ers co-Owner
     Edward DeBartolo Jr. is "focusing on a $400,000 cash payment
     he made to former Gov. Edwin W. Edwards less than three
     weeks before his company obtained a casino license in
     Louisiana, according to people with knowledge of the probe"
     and cited by Laurie Cohen of the WALL STREET JOURNAL.  The
     investigation began in fall '96 when the FBI wiretapped
     Edwards' home and law office (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/4).  A
     source told the S.F. CHRONICLE that Federal agents "were
     listening" when DeBartolo "offered to pay" as much as
     $400,000 for the license and that he "got caught in an
     elaborate federal sting" aimed at Edwards.  The source
     added: "There's no question who the government was after. 
     Then along comes Eddie" (Fagan, Pimentel & Dietz, S.F.
     CHRONICLE, 12/4).  In Baton Rouge, former Gov. Edwards said
     that the $383,500 that the FBI seized was paid to him by
     DeBartolo to "watch out for his interests."  Edwards:
     "DeBartolo never asked me or intimated or suggested that I
     do anything improper, out of line, or unethical.  And no one
     can say otherwise."  He added that DeBartolo paid him the
     money this year, "well after" he left office (Peter Shinkle,
     Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 12/4).  If convicted, DeBartolo "could
     be banned for life" from the NFL (S.F. EXAMINER, 12/3).
          SPEAKS TO THE TEAM: 49ers President Carmen Policy said
     that DeBartolo had spoken to the team in a "closed meeting." 
     He said a "somewhat emotional but controlled" DeBartolo told
     players that he was "committed to the team's future and
     would be back" (S.F. EXAMINER, 12/3).  Policy added that
     DeBartolo's "pending indictment" would not affect the team
     and that "there would be no impediment" to the team's new
     stadium project.  Policy: "The DeBartolo Corp. is doing
     quite well.  They will be able to withstand whatever
     ramifications."  He "rejected" suggestions that DeBartolo
     and his sister, Denise DeBartolo York, who is a 50% partner
     in the team, "would be forced to sell because of the legal
     problems" (Fagan, Pimentel & Dietz, S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/4). 
     In San Jose, Mark Purdy calls DeBartolo's resignation
     "overrated," and quotes one NFL team exec as saying, "Around
     the league, I think most people will believe that Ed
     DeBartolo is still going to play some part in major 49er
     decisions" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 12/4).  In S.F., Ray
     Ratto wrote under the header, "Business As Usual?  If So, It
     May Get Rocky."  Ratto: "One wonders if York's ambitions are
     contained by her familial ties.  One wonders if DeBartolo
     really did resign in more than just name.  One wonders
     whether the NFL would bother to do anything to him even if
     he is convicted. ... I think we're going to have to let this
     play out a while" (S.F. EXAMINER, 12/3). 
          NOTES: A SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS editorial states:
     "Whatever the legal outcome of this matter, [DeBartolo's]
     image in the Bay area will never be quite the same" (MERCURY
     NEWS, 12/4)....Also in San Jose, Herhold & Carey examine the
     NFL's guidelines on gambling.  DeBartolo's ownership of the
     49ers as "he embarked on a bold, two-year venture into the
     gaming industry was made possible by the [NFL's] lenient
     restrictions on gambling, as far as owners are concerned." 
     NFL execs said yesterday that while they were "concerned"
     over his gaming initiatives, they had taken "no firm stand
     against his activities" (MERCURY NEWS, 12/4).

          NHL: With NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman saying that he
     hopes a bid for the Oilers comes "by Friday," Owner Peter
     Pocklington is "skeptical" that a local group will produce
     an offer.  Pocklington: "I'm not sure the locals want to
     sign on the dotted line.  The scrutiny you undergo (by the
     league) nowadays because of the money involved is pretty
     rigorous" (David Shoalts, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/4)....In
     Philadelphia, Timothy Dwyer writes that Flyers Chair Ed
     Snider's contention that his team can't afford Eric Lindros
     "means he is either going to let Lindros go when he becomes
     a free agent ... or he is banking on holding the owners
     together in a coalition that is solidly against raiding one
     another's rosters."  Dwyer: "That stinks of collusion.  If
     Snider can't afford Lindros, then it is time to get Comcast
     involved. ... Comcast, after all, owns two-thirds of the
     Flyers and surely ... recognizes a good programming
     commodity when it sees one" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 12/4).
          NOTES: The Steelers ended a 64-year tradition by
     announcing that practices leading up to Sunday's home game
     against the Broncos would be closed to the media (USA TODAY,
     12/4)....In Providence, Sean McAdam wrote that in their
     contract talks with Mo Vaughn, the Red Sox "reportedly are
     insisting on a degree of control over Vaughn's community
     work in Boston, with the opportunity to direct him toward
     certain charities and events" (JOURNAL-BULLETIN, 12/3).

          The Maple Leafs are "searching across North America"
     for a new COO, according to Marty York of the Toronto GLOBE
     & MAIL.  Sources told York that the new COO will have "at
     least the same level of authority" as team President & GM
     Ken Dryden, and "may even rank higher than Dryden."  The
     Leafs have already hired a head-hunter, and sources say that
     the "leading candidate" is former Trail Blazers President
     Marshall Glickman.  Glickman was "reluctant to discuss" the
     Leafs yesterday, but "did confirm" that he has had "recent
     conversations" with the franchise, specifically with Chair
     Steve Stavro and Minority Partner Larry Tanenbaum.  Others
     who have been approached "either directly or indirectly"
     include IHL Aeros President Richard Adler, CFL Chair John
     Tory and Blue Jays Counsel Gord Kirke.  Tory "confirmed" the
     position was brought up to him; Adler was unavailable and
     Kirke declined to comment (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/4).

          The Warriors "terminated" the contract of Latrell
     Sprewell last night, "in essence, firing him" two days after
     he attacked Coach P.J. Carlesimo in practice, according to
     David Steele of the S.F. CHRONICLE.  GM Garry St. Jean made
     the announcement following the team's game last night at the
     Oakland Arena: "It was not an economical decision.  It was
     about morals and ethics and the right thing to do.  And the
     organization stands very strong with its moral beliefs." 
     Sprewell will lose the remainder of his salary for this
     year, which is $7.7M, and the $17.3M he was due for the
     following two seasons.  He was placed on waivers and can
     sign with any team if he is not claimed within 48 hours. 
     The team "invoked clauses concerning good conduct and
     citizenship included in the standard player contract" and
     the CBA.  The NBA had no comment last night, but the
     "possibility remains that Sprewell could be banned by the
     league from playing for part of this season or longer." 
     NBPA Exec Dir Billy Hunter said the union would appeal the
     termination.  Steele: "It was the first time an NBA player
     has had his contract terminated for insubordination" (S.F.
     CHRONICLE, 12/4).  The AP reports that "some NBA players
     have a personal conduct guarantee in their contracts that
     prohibits teams from terminating them based upon their
     behavior.  Sprewell, however, had no such protection"
     (AP/ESPN SportsZone, 12/4).  In N.Y., Mike Wise writes that
     the action "sets the table for a bitter legal battle"
     between the team and the NBPA (Mike Wise, N.Y. TIMES, 12/4). 
          SPRE-SPEECH: In his first public comments yesterday,
     Sprewell "refused to apologize" to Carlesimo, and added
     that, "All the frustrations had built up to the point where
     I couldn't take it anymore."  More Sprewell: "I totally
     don't condone this behavior, but I just got to the point
     where I couldn't take it anymore" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/4). 
          FROM THE WARRIORS: More from St. Jean: "There is no
     issue to compromise.  Outrageous misconduct by players in
     professional sports has been tolerated for too long.  We are
     drawing the line.  Some things are more important than
     winning or losing games" (Ric Bucher, WASHINGTON POST,
     12/4).  In San Jose, Ann Killion writes that the Warriors'
     move "makes sense to average folks, and it will probably
     help" the team's PR profile, but "that doesn't mean this is
     the end of the Warriors' problems.  First, the Warriors
     don't even know if their action will stand up legally."  St.
     Jean: "We have confidence in the NBA" (MERCURY NEWS, 12/4). 
          NATIONAL REAX: In Chicago, Lacy Banks writes under the
     header, "Sprewell Incident Wounds League" (SUN-TIMES, 12/4). 
     In Akron, Terry Pluto writes under the header, "These NBA
     Guys Need A Swift Kick."  Pluto, on Sprewell and Scottie
     Pippen: "I'm just sick of some of these guys. ... Maybe if
     you play in the NBA, you know that the rules of common
     decency and respect for your employer and co-workers don't
     apply" (BEACON JOURNAL, 12/4).  USA TODAY's Mike Lopresti,
     under the header, "NBA Could Soon Choke On Its Troubles,"
     writes "here in a sport with one more bruise on an image
     that has been defaced enough. ... Something ails the NBA and
     its world of quick money and quick tempers.  Sprewell is not
     the sickness, only the latest symptom" (USA TODAY, 12/4). 
     In Seattle, Steve Kelly wrote under the header, "Hey, Kids 
     -- NBA Isn't So Fan-Tastic Anymore."  Kelly: "Don't believe
     the slick commercials. ... [T]his NBA season is off to a
     foundering start. ... The NBA has problems" (SEATTLE TIMES,
     12/3).  On ABC's "Good Morning America," the Warriors' move
     was discussed by host Lisa McRee and Mike Lupica.  After
     watching a video clip of the Warriors' St. Jean announcing
     Sprewell's termination, McRee noted, "Boy, even crew members
     are saying 'Yes!' when they hear that" ("GMA," ABC, 12/4). 
          CONVERSE SUPPORT: Converse said it "doesn't plan to
     fire" Sprewell as a spokesperson, according to BLOOMBERG's
     Scott Newman.  Converse signed Sprewell in '94 to a deal
     that the company says contains "a morals clause that would
     allow it to end the agreement."  Converse VP/Marketing &
     Communications Jennifer Murray: "Latrell's behavior is
     inexcusable, unsportsmanlike, and something that we in no
     way condone.  But he remains one of our endorsers and is
     still under contract with us" (CONTA COSTA TIMES, 12/3).