JETS BACKERS RAISE REVENUE GOALS, EXPECT CHARITABLE STATUS

     Spirit of Manitoba Chair Alan Sweatman confirmed yesterday
that his group raised their fund-raising goals after a meeting
last week with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.  Sweatman said that
the group is now trying to raise C$80M in cash by August 15 and
C$31M more by '97.  Sweatman said the group "cannot wait any
longer" for Revenue Canada -- Canada's taxing body -- to rule
whether contributions to the Spirit will be considered a gift to
a charity.  The group will proceed on the assumption that they
will be ruled a charitable foundation.  Spirit goes public today,
with a C$50M offering for shares in the Jets.  Each share sells
for C$1,000, but investors must buy a minimum of five shares
(John Douglas, WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 7/25).