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

DATE: TUESDAY, September 21, 1993                   TAG: 9309210147
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

NBA LOOKS TO NORTH FOR TEAMS

The NBA is heading across the Canadian border in November, when it is all but certain an expansion franchise will be awarded to Toronto - and possibly Vancouver.

Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the NBA's expansion committee and president of the Phoenix Suns, was among those to hear pitches Monday from three groups of Toronto investors and one group from Vancouver, British Columbia.

He said that while he could not speak for all 27 NBA owners, he fully expects the league to award at least one new franchise at its Board of Governors meeting Nov. 3-4.

Other cities have expressed interest in joining the NBA, but only Toronto and Vancouver were invited to make final presentations.

"Regardless of which group is selected, Toronto will be represented well, and Vancouver is a viable contender for a second franchise," he said.

Colangelo said the 1995-96 season is the targeted year for a new team to begin play. But if Vancouver is chosen, he added, it would not necessarily begin then.

"These were four first-class presentations," Colangelo said. "We came into this thinking one team. Now two is a possibility."

Keywords:
BASKETBALL

by CNB