RAY OF LIGHT FOR HORNETS? TEAM TALKING TO POTENTIAL INVESTOR

          Atlanta business exec Ray Wooldridge, who recently sold
     his modular office construction business for $270M, "is in
     negotiations" with Hornets Owner George Shinn for a stake in
     the team, according to Leonard Laye of the CHARLOTTE
     OBSERVER.  Both Wooldridge and a group of his
     representatives "have made separate trips" to tour the
     Charlotte Coliseum and the team's training facilities, and
     Wooldridge was also present at the Coliseum during NBA Draft
     night.  However, it is "unclear" what percentage of the team
     Wooldridge is "seeking," though sources have said that Shinn
     wants to keep a controlling interest (CHAR. OBSERVER, 7/9).