CHECKERS AND BALANCES: WOOLDRIDGE SEEKS THIRD ARENA TENANT

          Hornets co-Owner Ray Wooldridge said yesterday that he
     "is close to a deal to buy" the ECHL Checkers from Owner Tim
     Braswell, according to Rick Bonnell of the CHARLOTTE
     OBSERVER, who reports that Wooldridge would like to make the
     team a tenant in his proposed downtown arena.  The Checkers,
     along with the Hornets and WNBA Sting, "would fill about 100
     nights a year in a new arena."  Wooldridge: "This fits right
     in a new building.  This is all done in anticipation of a
     new building."  Wooldridge added that he "anticipates"
     signing a letter of intent today to gain control of the team
     (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/20).  Checkers President Steve Camp,
     on a potential deal: "Simply, I'm amazed. ... I only know
     that he (Wooldridge) is one of several people to show
     interest in the team" (GASTON GAZETTE, 4/20).