LET'S GO DOWNTOWN: HAWKS, THRASHERS HOPE PHILIPS DRAWS FANS

          The Hawks' and Thrashers' efforts to attract people to
     Philips Arena who are "hesitant" about going downtown are
     examined by Clint Williams of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. 
     Officials from both teams say that 60-70% of the fans who
     will attend games at the new arena live in the suburbs
     outside of the I-285 outer belt.  Thrashers VP/Sales &
     Marketing Derek Schiller said that a survey by the team
     earlier this year found that "nearly" 60% of season-ticket
     holders said that they traveled downtown "just a few times a
     month or hardly ever."  The survey also showed that 59% of
     season-ticket holders live more than 20 miles from downtown. 
     One way to lure fans is to ensure safety, and the Atlanta
     Police Department will station at least 20 officers in the
     area surrounding the arena for games and special events and
     additional officers will direct traffic at 10 key
     intersections to "smooth" the traffic flow.  Hawks/Thrashers
     Owner Ted Turner will even pay police officers to patrol
     areas closest to the arena (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/30).