SAVIN' THE RAVENS: NFL SETS UP LOAN TO HELP TEAM'S FINANCES

          The NFL "has come to the rescue of the Ravens" by
     setting up a $65M, short-term loan "backed by the eventual
     sale of a portion of the franchise to a new investor,"
     according to Jon Morgan of the Baltimore SUN.  NFL team
     owners "voted overwhelmingly to approve the bailout" of
     Ravens Owner Art Modell.  In an electronic vote taken last
     week, the owners voted 29-1, with one abstention to approve
     the loan, "which will be funded by an NFL lender and be
     repaid with interest by the Ravens."  The "no" vote came
     from the Bengals and the abstention came from the Raiders. 
     Ravens President David Modell: "We appreciate what they have
     done for us.  We think it's in the best interest of this
     franchise to have less debt."  Of the $65M in new financing,
     $10M will go toward transaction costs and $55M will be used
     to buy out the team's lenders.  The Ravens have also
     requested that the league "change the terms" of a $29M
     relocation fee for its move from Baltimore (Balt. SUN, 7/9).