SMG TAKES MANAGEMENT OF BALTIMORE ARENA FROM POLLIN GROUP

          PA-based SMG has acquired rights to operate the
     Baltimore Arena from Abe Pollin's Centre Management,
     according to Sandra McKee of the Baltimore SUN.  Terms were
     not disclosed, but the change "brought smiles to the faces
     of key people associated with the Arena."  NPSL Blast Owner
     Ed Hale, noting that Pollin also owns the MCI Center and
     USAirways Arena: "With Centre Management, we were third in
     line.  We got whatever events were left over, the ones that
     couldn't be fit into MCI Center or USAirways Arena.  It
     wasn't right."  Centre Management's parent Washington Sports
     & Entertainment also owns the Patriot Center in VA.  But
     Washington Sports VP/Communication Matt Williams said,
     "Centre Management always attempted to bring the very best
     entertainment to Baltimore Arena."  Negotiations on
     oversight were completed last week, and the Cleveland State
     Convocation Center also shifted operation management from
     Centre Management to SMG (Baltimore SUN, 4/21).