SPURS ARENA DEAL A SLAM-DUNCAN, COULD OPEN IN 2002

          A four-page non-binding letter of intent to build a
     proposed $175M arena for the Spurs was "approved" yesterday
     and officials "hope to begin breaking ground" in six months,
     should voters approve the 1.75% hotel tax and 5% car rental
     tax that Bexar County Commissioners voted to put on the
     November 2 ballot, according to Bower & Cardwell of the SAN
     ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS.  Spurs Chair Peter Holt: "I'm excited. 
     I'm elated.  It's a relief."  A final binding agreement
     expected to be 30-50 pages long "must pass legal review ...
     and must be signed before early voting begins" on October
     16.  Holt said that the Spurs will play in the facility next
     to Freeman Coliseum "by the start" of the 2002-03 season and
     are "committed to stay" 25 years.  Bexar County lead
     negotiator Daniel Mark said the facility's $175M price "has
     not been finalized" and added that the facility "will
     feature" 50 suites (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/25).