Evening star., 1952-01-16
|Uline Planning
|ToCIose Arena;
Points toLosses
Lions Latest to Fold;
Stage Thrilling Gom,
In Final Appearance
By Brian Bell, Jr.

Dst~u 0Sus Sss
Not only are pro basketball and
hockey finished at Uline Arena,
but all sporting events there may
soon be q thing Of the past.
After the Washington Lions
were disbanded last night, follow
ling the Caps demise earlier IN
the week, Mike Uline, owner ot
the arena, told The Star it was
only the beginning.
"AS soon as existing contracts
have expired, I am closing the
arena" Uline said. mot only am
I through sponsoring sports here
myself. but I am not going to
lease the arena for anything"
Uline, who has long been COM
Iplaining that the District-owned
Armory was driving him out OF
business. has threatened to close
down in the past but he seemed
in earnest last night.
Repeats Charges.
He repeated his arguments that
he could not compete against the
Armory which, under It's municipal
ownership, could operate much
cheaper than Uline. The arena
owner said he has repeatedly
complained to the District Com
mittee that the Armory was un-
fair competition, but had received
no satisfaction.
II paid $165.00 in taxes In
addition to my income tax last
year." Uline said, land should
receive some consideration. For
years I have operated the arena
at a loss to keep sports in WASH
ington but I'm not going to con-
tinue to do So"
Uline explained that quite q
few contracts had been signed to
bring events here in the future
and that until they expired the
arena would remain open. He said
no new contracts would be made
and that all sports, including col
|lege and high school. would have
to move.
According to U1ine officials
bookings do not extend past June,
SO If present plans are followed
the arena would close at that
time. The arena has been in
operation for 10 years.
Fails to Meet Expenses.
AS for the Lions disbandment,
the same reason-lack of attend
ance-was given for the Caps
finish. The hockey team, whose
season record after last night was
8 wins, "a losses and 3 ties, has
failed to meet expenses.
Jack Riley. Lions coach, esti-
mated that the Lions had lost
about $4,000 already this season
and to continue for the remainder
OF the campaign would cost at
least another $4,000.
There was a slight possibility
that the Lions would move opera
|tions to Baltimore. which has no
hockey team, but Riley was not
Optimistic.
II talked to prospective backer
In Baltimore this afternoon when
I knew we were through here"
Riley said last night, "and he
promised to consider it. However,
he didn't call back. I intend to
contact him again tomorrow, but
II don't think there's much
chance"
Has Good Nucleus.
Riley said he believed that de-
spite the teams lack of success
this season, he had a good nucleus
for a winning club next year and
hoped the Lions could stay to-
|gether. If this is not possible, the
players can be signed by other
Eastern League teams. but Riley
said he thought he could place
only five or six of the Lions.
Although the Lions knew before
they took to the ice last night that
the team was to be disbanded, the
40 paid customers saw the best
game of the season. Atlantic City
led 6-2 with less than IL minutes
remaining in the match, but the
Lions scored four goals within
minutes to tie the game and ii
ended 6-6 after a 10-minute over
time period.
In a wild finish to the season
160-pound Ron Spong twice was
!embroiled in fist fights with New
Haven's Mauro Hauppi. Ter
penalties were called during the
Inight-one on the Sea Gulls
lgoalie, Dennis Mooney, and at one
point in the last period, three
Gulls and a Lion were in the
penalty box at the same time.