MODELL REFINANCES RAVENS TO PAY OFF DEBT, FORMER PARTNERS

          The NFL "has voted in favor of Art Modell not only
     restructuring the ownership of his" Ravens but also
     "refinancing the team" for $185M, according to Will
     McDonough of the BOSTON GLOBE.  McDonough reported the NFL
     "supposedly limits" debts to $55M, but that Modell needs
     $185M "to pay off his debts and have money to buy out former
     partners Bob Gries and Al Lerner" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/25).
          NOT CHARMED BY RAVENS? With "some 6,200 tickets"
     available for their home opener and "lukewarm" preseason TV
     ratings, "the Ravens are being greeted with a mild case of
     indifference" in Baltimore, according to John Eisenberg of
     the Baltimore SUN.  With the Orioles' success, Baltimore has
     become "Baseball City, USA," and the Ravens "seem to be
     generating only mildly passionate interest" outside their
     "serious fans."  Eisenberg: "The Ravens need to win some
     games before they can expect such loyalty" (SUN, 8/24).