Robert Leffler, owner of the Leffler Ad Agency,
     confirmed that he has filed a letter of intent with the IHL
     to bring a team to Baltimore, according to Jon Morgan of the
     Baltimore SUN.  Leffler believes "the right combination of
     money and marketing could make [pro hockey] finally succeed"
     in Baltimore.  Leffler, who may try to "lure a relocated or
     expansion team," remains convinced that hockey could
     "thrive" in the city.  He did not say where the team would
     play if he did land a franchise (Baltimore SUN, 3/5).

          Edmonton's local business group trying to buy the
     Oilers are "perhaps 24 hours away from reaching the minimum
     cash stockpile needed to keep the team," according to
     Bernard Pilon of the EDMONTON SUN.  Group spokesperson Cal
     Nichols "has now set his sights on rasing another" $10M by
     March 13 -- the deadline to prevent the team's sale to Les
     Alexander.  Nichols: "I can tell you we're just under
     [C$50M] and will have that by Friday."  Nichols noted
     financial investments by two Edmonton real-estate
     developers: Melcor Developments CEO Tim Melton and
     Springwood Development Owner Bill Butler (EDMONTON SUN,
     3/5). In Edmonton, Jac MacDonald reports that the new
     financing still leaves the group C$5M short of its C$50M
     goal.  Meanwhile, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the
     Oilers "are viable" in Edmonton: "The issue isn't the
     support of the fans in Edmonton because that support has
     been terrific.  It's been unquestioned" (EDM. JOURNAL, 3/5).

          NHL Oilers suitor Michael Largue was charged last March
     and pleaded guilty in November to the felony charge of
     "larceny scheme to defraud," according to Loome & Johnson of
     the EDMONTON SUN.  Largue received five years probation,
     which he is still serving.  Largue's probation requirements
     "mean he isn't allowed to leave" the state of NY and "will
     likely be re-arrested if his probation officer finds out"
     about his trip to Edmonton.  Canadian officials "are
     investigating how he entered Canada."  Loome & Johnson add
     that Largue has dealt "with at least five different NHL
     teams in the past four years," the Oilers, Sabres, Whalers,
     Lightning and Canadiens, "using each as a springboard to
     approach the next" (EDMONTON SUN, 3/5).
          REAX: Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith, on the background
     checks that led to inconsistencies in Largue's stories: "Did
     he think that nobody here was going to bother?  I mean, did
     he think we were just some hillbillies up here?" (EDMONTON
     JOURNAL, 3/5).  Largue's "estranged wife" Jeanette said that
     Largue is a "pathological liar" (EDM. JOURNAL, 3/5).
               

          The NBA fined Nets coach John Calipari $1,000 for
     directing a profanity towards a fan during a game last
     Sunday at the Meadowlands (NBA).

          The NFL Oilers have "hammered out a tentative agreement
     with" Vanderbilt Univ. to play its '98 home schedule at the
     school, according to John Glennon of the Memphis COMMERCIAL
     APPEAL.  Glennon wrote that "three issues still must be
     cleared before the deal becomes official."  First, the
     involved parties must "seek the blessing" of the surrounding
     neighborhood, which "has expressed concern about traffic,
     parking and security" on game days; second, the Oilers and
     Vanderbilt must figure out a way to "appease conflicting
     stadium advertisers"; and third, some details of the lease
     must be finalized and signed by both parties.  Glennon
     reported that "all involved were confident the potential
     drawbacks could be overcome" (COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 3/4).