FACILITY NOTES

          The Thomas & Mack Center and Sam Boyd Stadium were
     awarded a $5M grant for renovation and improvement projects. 
     The grant, which will be contingent upon an extended
     agreement with the National Finals Rodeo, earmarks $3M for
     the construction of a tunnel at the Thomas & Mack Center and
     $2M to reconfigure and expand Sam Boyd Stadium to 40,000
     seats (THE DAILY).  The National Finals Rodeo contract runs
     through 2000, but Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
     officials "are looking" for a 10-year extension (LAS VEGAS
     SUN, 1/28)....The Bears are considering several new stadium
     sites but a downtown location is "very unlikely."  In
     Chicago, Mike Mulligan reports that there is no timetable on
     a new stadium, "and it's unlikely one will be announced in
     the foreseeable future."  Bears Owner Michael McCaskey added
     "there's no truth to a rumor that Ameritech has already
     signed" a $75M naming rights deal (SUN-TIMES, 1/30).