ST. PAUL NHL EXPANSION TEAM REPORTS STRONG TICKET DEPOSITS

          Jac Sperling, the Denver-based attorney who is in charge
     of day-to-day operations for the NHL expansion team in St.
     Paul, said that "between 9,200 and 9,300 season-ticket
     deposits -- costing $100 each -- have been received,"
     according to John Millea of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. 
     Millea: "Nearly all of St. Paul's ticket reservations have
     come from individuals, which makes it easier to sell ticket
     packages -- not to mention luxury suites -- to corporate
     customers."  While no deposits for suites have been taken
     yet, "around 50 companies have expressed interest." 
     Sperling: "We are clearly at the head of the class so far in
     terms of expansion teams."  Sperling added that later this
     week, the public will be asked to help choose a team name,
     with the name, colors and logo expected to be announced in
     December or January (John Millea, STAR TRIBUNE, 9/9).