A transfer of $8 million atop Montreal's current $18.8 million payroll would fall short of the required spending level.

By contrast, the current annual payroll is probably $3 million to $4 million.

A more immediate question is how Hicks would get the Rangers' current $131 million payroll under $102 million.

A week ago the House passed a bill extending the current payroll tax rates in a fiscally responsible manner for a full year.

But analysts predict that another 2,500 people, or more, will be cut from the current payroll of 13,000 employees.

At a time when few skilled workers remain unemployed, it aims to more than double its current payroll, to nearly 500,000, within four years.

Boon Beyond Reservation A second casino building is already under construction, and officials plan to triple the current 3,500-member payroll.

Consequently, officials announced with pride today that they had even made the current payroll on time.

With a current payroll set at just under $60 million, the Nets must make tough choices.

Using current payrolls, the Yankees, No. 1 at $61.4 million, would have to pay a tax of $3.64 million based on a $51 million threshold.