POSSIBLE LAY-OVERS AT AIR CANADA CENTRE? AFL AND WNBA

          Maple Leafs Sport & Entertainment VP/Business
     Development Brian Cooper is in talks with the AFL, "which is
     determined to expand soon to Canada," according to Marty
     York of the Toronto GLOBE & MAIL.  AFL sources "believe a
     deal will be struck within three months and that the new
     team should be ready to play" at the Air Canada Centre by
     the '99 season.  Cooper is also attempting to bring a WNBA
     franchise to the Air Canada Centre.  Cooper: "We're waiting
     for the owners' input now to see if they want to move
     forward on a WNBA team but we've already made a number of
     presentations and we think it could flourish in Toronto." 
     In addition, Cooper is "researching the possibility" of
     featuring an indoor-soccer team and an annual women's hockey
     tournament at Air Canada Centre (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/29).  Air
     Canada Centre VP Bob Hunter said he would like to get a WNBA
     team "in the next round of expansion."  Hunter: "The WNBA
     would appear to be at the top, given the connections it
     would have to the Raptors" (TORONTO SUN, 7/29).