<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                      /s/ Ronald O. Perelman
                                                     --------------------------
                                                         RONALD O. PERELMAN


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                      /s/ J. Eric Hanson
                                                   --------------------------
                                                        J. ERIC HANSON


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                      /s/ James W. Hoag
                                                   ------------------------
                                                        JAMES W. HOAG


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                      /s/ Jerry W. Levin
                                                  --------------------------
                                                        JERRY W. LEVIN


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                      /s/ George Napier
                                                -----------------------------
                                                        GEORGE NAPIER


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                      /s/ John P. Murray, Jr.
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                         JOHN P. MURRAY, JR.


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                       /s/ Martin D. Payson
                                                   ---------------------------
                                                         MARTIN D. PAYSON


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                       /s/ Bruce Slovin
                                                  --------------------------
                                                          BRUCE SLOVIN


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                      /s/ Irwin Engelman
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                         IRWIN ENGELMAN


<PAGE>



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


                  KNOWN ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the under signed hereby
constitutes and appoints each of Glenn P. Dickes, Thomas E. Kohut and Joram C.
Salig or any of them, each acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, in con nection with the MERIDIAN SPORTS
INCORPORATED (the "Corpo ration") Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
including, without limiting the gener ality of the foregoing, to sign the Form
10-K in the name and on behalf of the Corporation or on behalf of the under
signed as a director or officer of the Corporation, and any amendments to the
Form 10-K and any instrument, contract, document or other writing, of or in
connection with the Form 10-K or amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including
this power of attorney, with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any
applicable secu rities exchange or securities self-regulatory body, grant ing
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purpos es as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawful ly do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed these presents
this 31st day of March 1997.



                                                      /s/ Thomas E. Kohut
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                        THOMAS E. KOHUT