SECOND THOUGHTS ON SIGNING BELLE? In Baltimore, Joe
Strauss wrote that Orioles Owner Peter Angelos, "angry over
a series of embarrassing incidents," has "authorized an
investigation" of RF Albert Belle with "hopes" that the team
will be able to "void the remainder" of his five-year, $65M
contract or "at least induce Belle to relinquish his no-
trade clause" (Baltimore SUN, 7/18).
MOLSON CHANGES TUNE? The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's
Daniel Kaplan writes that Canadiens Owner Molson "is no
longer ruling out a sale of the team" and is "considering
creating a separate sports company, which would include the
hockey team and arena, and selling either a minority or
majority of it" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/19 issue).
OTHER NOTES: In Cleveland, Paul Hoynes wrote that Larry
Dolan's interest in buying the Indians "remains strong, even
if his brother [Cablevision Chair Charles Dolan] buys the
Mets" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 7/18)....Ravens Owner Art
Modell, on possibly selling a stake in the team to an
outside investor: "We're going to try and restructure and
bring in an outside investor. I need it for estate
planning, which reduces tax exposure, and to reduce the
team's debt. This is not a big deal. We're in fine
financial shape" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/16)....Turner Sports
President Harvey Schiller, on talks with Yankees Owner
George Steinbrenner on joining YankeeNets: "I'm very happy
where I am, but it's nice to be wanted" (USA TODAY, 7/19)
...The NLL Baltimore Thunder is relocating to Pittsburgh,
with team GM Jim Ulman citing "poor attendance" as the main
reason for the move. NLL Thunder Owner Dennis Townsend
looked at the MCI Center and "shopped the team to" a TN
group before choosing Civic Arena (TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/17).
