LOSING ISIAH? DOUBTFUL. THOMAS AIMS TO UP STAKE IN RAPTORS

          Raptors' VP and part-owner Isiah Thomas "has joined
     forces with a consortium of prominent U.S. businessmen to
     buy what may well turn out to be control of the NBA team,"
     according to Craig Daniels of the TORONTO SUN.  Negotiations
     involving a representative of Thomas' group -- "which
     includes Chicago-based investment banker Al Gordon and two
     or three other unidentified investors" -- and Raptors
     majority Owner Allan Slaight, began this week.  Daniels also
     reported that the Thomas-led group "will continue to push
     ahead with the Air Canada Centre if it succeeds in its bid
     to buy all or a portion of the Raptors" (TORONTO SUN, 2/22). 
     The STAR's Clarkson & Byers write that Gordon "is believed
     to be the point man helping Thomas find enough cash to buy a
     significant portion" of the team.  The names of former Owner
     John Bitove and Detroit businessman Edsel Ford "haven't come
     up as potential investors" (TORONTO STAR, 2/23).