THOMAS REPORTEDLY BUYS CBA FOR $10M, EYES MID-SIZED CITIES

          CBA owners "have voted to sell operating rights to the
     league" to Isiah Thomas for $10M, according to sources of
     Bruce Berlet of the HARTFORD COURANT, who noted that owners
     "approved the sale" via a teleconference vote last week. 
     CBA Hartford Pride Owner Brian Foley: "I've met with Isiah
     several times, and he has talked about going to mid-sized
     cities, which I think bodes well for Hartford.  Having
     Thomas involved should enable the league to get more
     national sponsors and possibly national TV. ... Becoming the
     official minor league of the NBA would really help
     recognition and could bring better players into the league"
     (HARTFORD COURANT, 7/18).  However, in Sioux Falls (SD), Stu
     Whitney reported that "it's unclear" if CBA owners and
     Commissioner Gary Hunter "would accept" Thomas' $10M bid
     (SIOUX FALLS ARGUS LEADER, 7/17).  The AP wrote that an
     announcement on the bid is "expected" this week (AP, 7/17).