CHARLOTTE STUDY SAYS CITY CAN SUPPORT MLB, BUT AT A COST

          A feasibility study unveiled yesterday concluded that
     Charlotte "can make big league baseball work -- but only
     with a first-class uptown ballpark that could come at a
     steep price to taxpayers," according to Foon Rhee of the
     CHARLOTTE OBSERVER.  The study, commissioned by the
     Charlotte Regional Baseball Partnership, projects that a
     team would draw an average of 25,000 and could raise $30M in
     PSLs from 10,000 season tickets.  Prospective Twins Owner
     Don Beaver's group "might come up with an additional" $70M
     or so through naming rights, parking and concessions, but
     that would leave another $100M of financing to be found
     (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/19).  Muhleman Marketing's Max
     Muhleman, who conducted the study: "What we conclude is the
     Charlotte market at this time is likely to provide mid-level
     support of [MLB]" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 5/19).  NC Triad
     Business Journal Exec Editor Justin Catanoso writes, "The
     results, the advocates said, were encouraging but not
     overwhelming" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/19).