NEW OWNERS LOOKING TO SET UP PBA AS AN INTERNET START-UP

          In announcing their purchase of the PBA, former
     Microsoft VP Chris Peters, RealNetworks Inc. CEO Rob Glaser
     and former Starwave Corp. Chair & CEO Mike Slade indicated
     yesterday they "would like to take the PBA public,"
     according to Jennifer Allen of BRIDGE NEWS.  They said that
     the PBA "would be structured as a new Internet startup,
     including stock options for key employees," and that the
     "long-term goal of the company is to build a strong fan base
     through Internet and television."  One "of the top early
     priorities will be to start marketing the stars" of the
     tour, as well as to "attract sponsors outside the bowling
     industry" (BRIDGE NEWS, 3/22).  In Akron, Jason Butler
     writes that the PBA Tour's "management structure is not
     finalized," but Peters said that a "priority is to hire a
     president and sports marketing guru."  Peters, who "intends
     to expand the sport's appeal with an increased Internet
     presence that is likely to include event Webcasts": "You
     have 50 million people walking into bowling alleys at least
     once a year" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 3/23).  Peters, asked if
     the PBA needs to return to broadcast TV: "Maybe, but I don't
     think that is important at all.  I like what we have with
     ESPN.  I think ESPN validates a sport" (AKRON BEACON
     JOURNAL, 3/23).  In Cleveland, Dennis Manoloff writes that
     the deal "rates as a whopper for the industry, let alone the
     association, in terms of scope, prestige and cash flow"
     (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 3/23).  On "Moneyline," Steve Young
     reported that the PBA "has been struggling," but the "new
     owners say they'll improve marketing and distribution, and
     they hope to return the PBA to profitability."  Peters: "We
     think this is a real diamond in the rough, an opportunity
     other people have missed, and a real turnaround opportunity"
     ("Moneyline," CNNfn, 3/22). Slade, who was at Starwave when
     it launched ESPN.com, NFL.com and NBA.com, said, "The
     Internet has become a consumer medium, and we can try to use
     technology to change the perception of the game.  When you
     control the league, you can do a lot of innovative things"
     (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/23).  Peters: "What we're going
     to do is try to open up to a larger audience.  You'll start
     seeing us start marketing the players more, start making
     more noise about it" (Albany TIMES UNION, 3/23).