PREDATORS EYE AREA BUSINESSES IN SEASON-TICKET POWER PLAY

          The NHL Predators have targeted some 400 businesses "in
     their third-period surge to sell the 12,000 season tickets
     needed by March 31 to become a full" NHL franchise,
     according to Jim Molpus of the NASHVILLE BANNER.  The team
     plans to sell roughly two-thirds of the 12,000 season
     tickets needed -- 8,000 -- to businesses "as a marketing and
     benefit tool."  The remaining 4,000 will be made up of
     individual ticket buyers, "and Predators sources say they
     are at or very near that goal already."  Roughly 4,000-4,500
     season tickets need to be sold over the next two months,
     "the vast majority" to Nashville's business community.  A
     brochure distributed by the team to area businesses includes
     phrases such as, "It's Time to STICK UP for Nashville."  The
     brochure stresses the team's need for corporate support, and
     reminds businesses that if the deadline is not met "the
     franchise could be pulled" (NASHVILLE BANNER, 1/30).