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Leagues and Governing Bodies

NHL SUMMIT LESS TAXING THAN THOUGHT; SECOND MEETING PLANNED

          After a meeting of federal, provincial, municipal and
     NHL reps in Canada yesterday, officials said that "they feel
     good about the future of small-market Canadian teams,"
     according to Shoalts, Lunman & Laghi of the Toronto GLOBE &
     MAIL.  The discussions for "economic help" went "well" and
     another meeting "is planned for" July.  Senators Chair Rod
     Bryden: "I was very encouraged by the discussion today." 
     Shoalts, Lunman & Laghi added that the federal gov't is
     "willing to provide" economic support as long as the
     provinces and cities with NHL teams "chip in."  Federal
     Industry Minister John Manley: "We will be part of the
     solution, but we're not willing to be the whole solution." 
     NHLPA Exec Dir Bob Goodenow was an "active participant" in
     the meeting after it appeared the NHLPA "would not
     participate" at one point.  However, what the NHLPA "would
     contribute" to the economic solution "wasn't clear."  Manley
     "denied a report" that the federal gov't is willing to
     provide $15M a year to the franchises, but one "possible
     solution discussed" is "handing over" some provincial
     lottery revenues (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 6/29).  In Toronto,
     John Schmied writes officials "discussed the heavy tax
     burden and the faltering Canadian dollar -- two factors that
     give U.S. teams a major advantage."  Manley: "I think we
     accepted that hockey is important ... for Canada.  It wasn't
     tax relief that we discussed" (TORONTO SUN, 6/29).  League
     figures showed that the Canadiens, Senators, Maple Leafs,
     Flames, Oilers and Canucks lost a "combined" C$170M during
     the '96-'97 and '97-'98 seasons (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/28). 
          TAX BREAK? In Toronto, Tim Harper noted that public
     opinion on possible gov't help has changed: "Manley and the
     hockey owners have so far successfully muted those
     traditional opponents of any move that smacks of taxpayer
     help for millionaires" (TORONTO STAR, 6/29).  But a Toronto
     GLOBE & MAIL editorial questions whether public funding is
     necessary: "What is the league doing to improve its balance
     sheet other than spending copiously and bleating about being
     victimized by the free-spending Americans? ... Before they
     get a penny of public money, the teams should sign an
     agreement promising to pay it all back if they decide to
     abandon the game in the home arenas and move south to the
     United States" (GLOBE & MAIL, 6/29).  In Toronto, Stephen
     Brunt: "If someone was looking for a risk-free place to lay
     blame, you can't imagine an easier target than the players
     and their union" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 6/29). 

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