IL-based Sportsman's Park will be "transformed into a
     dual-purpose facility" and host a CART race on Labor Day
     weekend in '99, according to Skip Myslenski of the CHICAGO
     TRIBUNE.  The $50M makeover will begin as soon as its
     current thoroughbred season closes June 30.  Track officials
     also hope to "eventually" land a NASCAR race.  The National
     Jockey Club, which owns Sportsman's, will retain ownership
     of the renovated track, but will put on the CART race in
     "equal partnership" with racing team Owner Chip Ganassi.
     Capacity will be expanded initially to between 60,000-
     70,000, before "phase two," which will expand the track to
     "approximately 90,000" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/9).
          NO TO BALTIMORE: Despite efforts to build a new
     racetrack in the Baltimore area, NASCAR VP/Competition Mike
     Helton said, "There is no interest from NASCAR to move into
     that area with any races."  He said the Baltimore-D.C.
     market "is serviced by other tracks with whom we already
     have long-standing relationships" (Baltimore SUN, 4/9).

          In Boston, columnist Mike Barnicle writes that while
     Fenway Park "is a wonderful envelope of memories, and while
     nostalgia can be a nice emotion, the park itself is on life
     support.  And it's time to pull the plug" (BOSTON GLOBE,
     4/9)....The MN Senate Tax Committee yesterday "narrowly
     passed a ballpark funding bill."  Under the bill, a $284M
     open-air stadium would be built using customer and team user
     fees, with state money tapped only to back up the finance
     plan.  In Minneapolis, Jay Weiner reports that "despite its
     revival, the stadium bill appears to be a long shot" (STAR
     TRIBUNE, 4/9).  ESPN's Peter Gammons said last night the
     Twins situation "is a mess.  Minnesota is not going to build
     Carl Pohlad a ballpark ... To make things worse, the
     [Greensboro, NC] triad area is considered too small for a
     major-league market.  But the Executive Council says there
     may be an out.  They say NationsBank will finance a downtown
     stadium in Charlotte if the Twins will consider moving
     there" ("SportsCenter," 4/8)....The NHL Panthers' new arena
     in Sunrise has "at least 100 dates booked during the year
     after the facility opens."  Panthers Exec VP Dean Jordan
     said that 69 of the arena's 70 luxury suites have been sold,
     selling for $70,000 to $120,000 apiece (SUN-SENTINEL, 4/9).

          In MN, the '98 legislative sessions "neared its
     conclusion" after leaders reached agreement on financing for
     a $130M St. Paul hockey arena, according to Whereatt & Brown
     of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE.  The "main parts" of the
     plan include a $65M interest-free loan from the state, a
     contribution of $30M by the city and a $35M contribution
     from the Wild.  Part of the state loan, $17M, would "be
     forgiven if the arena is opened for various public functions
     for 50 rent-free days a year.  Wild CEO Jac Sperling said
     that he saw "no problems working out an arrangement for
     rent-free events."  The team will also "still keep most of
     the money" from the facility, including naming rights, and
     suite and concession revenue.  Senate Majority Leader Roger
     Moe, who had withheld support on the arena, said he "won
     approval for other major bills 'all in exchange'" for the
     arena deal (STAR-TRIBUNE, 4/9).  Moe and House Speaker Phil
     Carruthers said repayment of the remaining $48M to the state
     "will be paid back by the team."  The city will also get
     $750,000 per year for 20 years from the state, about the
     same amount paid to the Target Center.  The agreement has
     the support of MN Gov. Arne Carlson (PIONEER PRESS, 4/9).