The Atlanta NHL expansion team which plans to be called
     the Thrashers "has filed a federal lawsuit" against the
     owner of a S.F.-based skateboard magazine named Thrasher and
     "seeks a court order giving the club permission to use that
     name as well," according to Henry Unger of the ATLANTA
     CONSTITUTION.  The team, which initially offered $50,000 for
     the name, "has failed so far" to negotiate a financial deal
     that would compensate the 17-year-old magazine, which has a
     trademark for the name and sells other merchandise using it. 
     Unger adds the name "now becomes a key legal and financial
     battle for the franchise just before it had planned to
     unveil its logo and merchandise" (ATL. CONSTITUTION, 1/7).  

          A federal tax court "has upheld the way" Broncos Owner
     Pat Bowlen valued the team when he purchased it in '84,
     according to the ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS.  The decision "allows
     him to retain" a $1.35M tax deduction "that has been in
     dispute for nine years."  The "key issue" involved whether
     Bowlen's acquisition of the team was "technically the
     purchase of a franchise or the purchase of a partnership." 
     By contending that it was the purchase of a partnership, he
     was able to write off $36.1M in player contracts against
     future profits.  The IRS "questioned the tactics," leading
     to Bowlen filing a complaint (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 1/7).

          In Edmonton, Jac MacDonald reports that Alberta
     Treasury Branches (ATB) "has tightened its grip" on the
     business affairs of the NHL Oilers by appointing its second
     rep on the team's Board of Directors.  Oilers COO John
     Ramsey has joined Robert Kallir and Owner Peter Pocklington
     on the boards of the Oilers and Coliseum Management. 
     Kallir, who is ATB's General Counsel, was appointed to the
     board last spring.  Each of the directors has a single vote
     on team affairs (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 1/7)....In Dallas, the
     smallest Reunion Arena crowd in 14 years, 8,833, watched the
     Mavericks beat the Nuggets last night (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
     1/7)....NEWSDAY's Rob Parker, on the Nets' desire to move
     out of Continental Airlines Arena: "It's time to move off
     Exit 16W of the New Jersey Turnpike. ... No matter how you
     slice it, they will ultimately never make it there"
     (NEWSDAY, 1/7)....In St. Paul, columnist Jim Caple writes
     the Vikings must "dump Roger Headrick from control as team
     president.  Headrick's disgraceful management has held the
     Vikings back more than anyone.  If the team is to have any
     hope in the future, he must go first" (PIONEER PRESS, 1/7).

          Twins Owner Carl Pohlad and Acting MLB Commissioner Bud
     Selig have received questions from MN Attorney General
     Hubert Humphrey III "seeking information that could be the
     basis for an attack" on MLB's antitrust exemption, according
     to Weiner & Whereatt of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE.  Twins
     President Jerry Bell: "It's a let's-go-after-antitrust
     things (questionnaire).  They're fishing, is what they're
     doing."  MLB Dir of PR Rich Levin said questions for Selig
     were forwarded to MLB's lawyers.  Weiner & Whereatt write,
     "Exactly what avenues Humphrey is pursuing are unclear." 
     Traditionally, MLB's exemption "has served to limit
     franchise movement, not encourage it."  Potential Twins
     buyer Clark Griffith said that he's "concerned" about
     challenging the exemption, adding that it "is of enormous
     benefit" to MN baseball fans (STAR TRIBUNE, 1/7).

          The Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) lost "nearly" $4M over
     the past two years because of "incentives given" to the Bucs
     to remain in Tampa, according to Wayne Washington of the ST.
     PETERSBURG TIMES.  The TSA lost $1.8M in '96 and $2M in '97
     because it "allowed the Bucs to play in Houlihan's Stadium
     rent-free and keep all parking and concession revenue during
     those seasons."  Beginning next season, when the Bucs move
     into a new stadium, the TSA "expects to collect" $3.5M in
     rent from the team and "just under" $2M from a ticket
     surcharge.  Under normal circumstances, the county or city
     of Tampa "would have to cover TSA losses;" however, because
     the TSA held some money "in reserve against anticipated
     losses," that won't be the case (ST. PETE TIMES, 1/6).  
          ADIDAS PARK? Two companies, Eckerd and Fuji, "have
     shown an interest" in naming rights to the Bucs stadium, and
     that "[a]n athletic apparel company -- possibly Adidas -- is
     also reportedly talking to the Bucs."  The team had no
     comment (Dave Simanoff, TAMPA BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/5).

          Stars Owner Tom Hicks is buying the MLB Rangers, paying
     what a source says is $250M for the team, the ballpark lease
     and surrounding property, according to Sullivan & Schnurman
     of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM.  The Rangers have scheduled
     a news conference today to announce the deal.  A source
     familiar with the purchase said it includes the team's lease
     at The Ballpark; a 165,000-square-foot office building; a
     ballpark restaurant; more than 300 acres of nearby land; and
     the option to acquire additional acreage nearby.  A source
     close to the team said that Tom Schieffer will remain as
     club president.  Schieffer and Hicks did not return phone
     calls yesterday (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 1/7).  In Dallas,
     a source told Gerry Fraley that Hicks will pay more than
     $230M for the team.  An MLB source said that Hicks began the
     ownership approval process yesterday by visiting the
     league's office in N.Y. (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/7).
          TV TALK: Fraley adds that several MLB officials said
     Hicks "probably pursued the Rangers to provide valuable
     programming for LIN Television," since he could use the
     Stars and Rangers as the foundation for an RSN "that would
     include some games offered" on PPV (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
     1/7).  In Dallas, Barry Horn reports that with the Stars' TV
     deal with KDFI expiring next year, that team could move to
     KXTX, a Hicks-owned station (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/7).  
          IMPACT ON ARENA: Some analysts said buying the Rangers
     "could hurt" Hicks' bid to get Dallas voters to approve a
     new arena for the Stars and Mavericks, while others said it
     "won't sway" the January 17 election, according to Lee &
     Gillman of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS.  Some analysts added
     owning the Rangers "could strengthen" Hicks' hand "by giving
     him a tie to Arlington and a reason to move the Stars there
     if Dallas' arena vote fails" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/7).
          PRAISE: In Dallas, columnist Randy Galloway writes,
     "Hicks brings a dynamic new dimension combined with having
     quick success in the Stars' turnaround."  Galloway adds that
     the Rangers' current ownership is selling in part because
     some of the minority investors want to cash in on their
     original investment.  Among the group is TX Gov. George W.
     Bush, "who reportedly wanted out before he announced his
     intentions to run for President" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/7).