PANTHERS PLAY CAT AND MOUSE WITH MIAMI AUTHORITY

     Although the Panthers were no closer to negotiating a lease
for the Miami Arena with the Miami Sports and Exhibition
Authority, Clark Spencer of the MIAMI HERALD writes that finding
a temporary home "on such short notice could be difficult since
the 1996-97 schedule was locked in Monday" by the NHL.  Panthers
President Bill Torrey says he has not contacted any other cities
about playing there the next two seasons but added, "When the
word gets out there is a problem here, there will be people [with
available arenas] trying to contact me."  Portland, OR, has been
mentioned as a possible site, as has Nashville, whose new arena
won't be completed until mid-December (MIAMI HERALD, 7/24).