
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 30, 1991                   TAG: 9103300164
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Randy King
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CLEVELAND TRYING FOR ECHL FRANCHISE

Another big city appears to be moving into the East Coast Hockey League.

ECHL Commissioner Pat Kelly said Friday that a group of investors from Cleveland has posted a $20,000 down payment with the league and hopes to field a franchise for the 1991-92 season.

Kelly said the group is weighing options about installing ice-making equipment in two Cleveland arenas. Kelly said the group has a May 1 deadline if it wishes to join the league for '91-92.

The ECHL, which added Cincinnati, Louisville and Richmond to expand to 11 teams for this season, could have 16 entries next season. The league is guaranteed 14 teams for next season because expansion entries in Raleigh, N.C.; Toledo, Ohio; and Dayton, Ohio, have been accepted.

A Charlotte, N.C., group also has been granted a franchise. But whether it will compete next season depends on whether $3 million in funding can be raised to renovate the old Charlotte Coliseum. Kelly said he expects to know something definite on the status of the Charlotte franchise by the end of April.

The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five cities - Roanoke; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Greensboro, N.C.; Johnstown, Pa.; and Erie, Pa. The league added Hampton Roads (Norfolk); Knoxville, Tenn.; and Nashville, Tenn., in '89-90.

by CNB