THE NAME GAME: WILL SABRES BUY BACK NAMING RIGHTS?

          While the name of Marine Midland Arena could be changed
     to reflect parent company HSBC Holdings, Sabres' ownership,
     headed by Adelphia Communications Corp. Chair John Rigas,
     "may present a counteroffer to HSBC" to buy back the naming
     rights, according to sources of James Fink of BUSINESS FIRST
     OF BUFFALO.  Sources "stressed" that the move "remains only
     an option," and "those closest to the situation will say
     only that the arena name is under discussion."  Until the
     season ends, all "existing" signage for Marine Midland Arena
     "will remain," with any name change likely to take place
     this summer.  Sabres Dir of Communications Michael Gilbert:
     "The bank did send us a proposal and it is being reviewed,
     but nothing will happen until we're done with the playoffs." 
     In January, Adelphia Communications purchased the naming
     rights for the Adelphia Sports Complex, a facility located
     in Niagara Falls (BUSINESS FIRST OF BUFFALO, 4/12).