clarinews@clarinet.com (02/02/90)
OAKLAND, Calif. (UPI) -- Oakland Coliseum Board President George Vukasin met with officials of the Minnesota North Stars again Wednesday night but said talks to bring the NHL team to Oakland were ``very preliminary.'' ``We have no intention of stealing anybody's franchise away because we know what that is like,'' Vukasin said. ``But if someone comes to us with a legitimate interest in moving we have to take a look at it.'' The North Stars asked the National Hockey League Wednesday for permission to move to Oakland, although co-owner Gordon Gund said he hoped the franchise could stay in Minnesota. Vukasin acknowledged the possibility the North Stars' talk of moving could be just a bargaining ploy. ``We are aware we could be used as leverage in getting the deal they want in Minnesota,'' Vukasin said. ``We know that they are pressing their demands and it is hard to conceive that they would move if their demands are met.'' Vukasin said he could see no serious problems getting the team if Gund is serious about wanting to move. The key, he said, is obtaining a commitment from the North Stars to remain at the Coliseum Arena for ``at least 15 years.'' Vukasin said the Coliseum's other tenants -- the major league baseball champion A's and the NBA Warriors -- as well as Mayor Lionel Wilson and head of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Don Perata, would support having the North Stars in Oakland. ``The Warriors people are very enthusiastic about the potential of sharing the arena with a National Hockey League team,'' Vukasin said. ``There is a trend in professional sports now to bring NBA and NHL franchises into the same building to maximize revenue from luxury boxes.'' Oakland is the former home of the NFL Raiders, although it is hoping to lure them back from Los Angeles. Gund rejected an offer from the NBA Minnesota Timberwolves to use the new basketball arena in downtown Minneapolis rent-free for three years, calling it ``very inadequate.'' The Stars are demanding a commitment for $15 million in improvements by Feb. 21 at their current home, the 23-year-old Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington, including more suites and better seating accommodations. But the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission has insisted it does not have the money to make such changes.