DEEP SELL 'EM BLUES? LIGHTNING DEAL ALMOST GOES UP IN SMOKE

          Lightning negotiators and reps for Pistons Owner
     William Davidson "narrowly avoided an acrimonious breakdown
     in talks Tuesday before both sides emerged optimistic" an
     agreement for the team and Ice Palace is near, according to
     Ira Kaufman of the TAMPA TRIBUNE.  The talks "almost ended
     abruptly in a dispute" over the purchase price of the team,
     rights to the Ice Palace and adjacent parcels of land
     alongside Garrison Channel.  One exec close to the
     negotiations called the dispute "more than just a snag," and
     added, "These talks were almost over, period."  Lightning
     Owner Art Williams, on the time-table for a deal: "Maybe
     we'll have one in a few days" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 2/24). 
     Lightning President Billy McGehee, after a meeting with
     Williams yesterday, said that it was "the first sign that
     Art really wants to sell" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 2/24).