CAN'T SQUISH THIS FISH: REPORT SAYS SALE TO SMILEY "LIKELY"

          Marlins President Don Smiley's bid to buy the team from
     Owner Wayne Huizenga "will likely be ready" before the All-
     Star Game on July 7, and Huizenga may contribute "as much
     as" $25M, sources tell Alan Snel of the Fort Lauderdale SUN-
     SENTINEL.  The sources said that Smiley "would continue to
     seek investors after he gains control so that Huizenga could
     get back his investment as quickly as possible."  Smiley
     would not comment.  Snel reports that a "possible snag" in
     the $169M sale is the amount of debt.  Smiley is seeking
     $60M in private loans and another $10-15M in loans from MLB
     in addition to equity from as many as nine investors,
     including Huizenga.  Borrowing $75M means Smiley's group
     would own 55% of the team.  Braves Chair Bill Bartholomay,
     who chairs MLB's Ownership Committee, said that MLB
     "prefers" at least 60% equity ownership, although that "is
     just a guideline" (Fort Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 6/11).