In Pittsburgh, a federal judge Friday "cleared the way"
for the Penguins to apply for a loan "after being assured
related costs would not be excessive." The decision allows
the team to spend "roughly" $350,000 in expenses to process
the loan from French lender Societe Generale. U.S.
Bankruptcy Judge Bernard Markovitz signed a modified order
"requiring full disclosure of legal fees and stipulating
that the law firm of Sable, Makoroff & Gusky, which
represents the team, absorb any fees deemed excessive by the
court." Approval of the loan could come "as early as"
November 30 (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 11/21)....In
Atlanta, the expansion Thrashers, who have sold around
8,500 season-tickets in their quest to sell at least 12,000
by a league-imposed March 15, 1999 deadline, are giving away
replica Thrashers jerseys, valued at $80-$125, to season-
ticket buyers for every two tickets purchased. The offer is
retroactive, so more than 4,000 jerseys "already have been
committed." Fans will receive redeemable certificates once
the jerseys are released (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/22).
