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JORDAN CONFIRMS TALKS WITH HORNETS; DEAL STILL A WAYS OFF

          While Michael Jordan confirmed yesterday his interest
     in purchasing a stake in the Hornets, his statement
     "suggested the deal is far from consummation," according to
     Bonnell & Chandler of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER.  Jordan
     described his discussions with Hornets Owner George Shinn as
     "very preliminary," and Bonnell & Chandler report that the
     two sides "are probably weeks, if not months," from reaching
     an agreement.  Shinn's impending divorce from his wife,
     Carolyn, "apparently won't impede a sale to Jordan," as the
     two issued a statement Monday saying that they have reached
     an "amicable divorce settlement."  The statement added that
     the settlement "would have no effect" on Shinn's future
     plans for the Hornets (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/30).
          PLAYING HARD TO GET? In Chicago, Lacy Banks writes that
     a source familiar with the negotiations said that Hornets
     management "was not pleased" with the "ambivalent tone" of
     Jordan's statement.  The source: "Now it sounds like Michael
     is playing hard to get. ... He knows that Shinn is somewhat
     on the ropes from a public-relations standpoint."  Banks
     notes that there is a "growing consensus" that Jordan "will
     not put his money and reputation on the line unless he is
     assured majority control of basketball operations."  The
     source calls Shinn "a very stubborn and proud man" and says
     that Jordan and his agent David Falk "must be careful to do
     this thing in a way that will leave Shinn with some dignity,
     or Shinn will back out" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/30).  A source
     of the WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL's John Delong said that both
     parties are "still far apart," because Jordan "has been
     seeking to buy in at bargain-basement prices."  The source:
     "It's not like George is going to come down on his price
     just because he's talking to Michael" (W-S JOURNAL, 3/30).  
          MORE REAX: In Toronto, Craig Daniels writes that he
     believes the NBA "helped leak" the story of Jordan's
     interest in the Hornets to the press, and now "the pressure
     is on Shinn to unload the club" (TORONTO SUN, 3/30).  

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