HORNETS CO-OWNER CALLS ONE-MONTH TIMEOUT ON ARENA TALKS

          Hornets co-Owner Ray Wooldridge "requested at least" a
     one-month delay on the "latest round of arena talks" between
     the Hornets and the city to "further familiarize himself
     with the details of building and financing" an arena,
     according to Dan Chapman of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, who
     writes that "in an odd twist," the delay "may actually speed
     up" the Hornets' search for an uptown arena, which is
     "pegged to open" in 2004.  City Budget Dir Curt Walton, on
     how Wooldridge's financial plans "may ultimately result in
     fewer tax dollars": "Once we reassess the Hornets' capacity
     to contribute to a facility, the public participation could
     decrease" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/11).