CFL FRANCHISES ON THE BRINK

     Calgary Stampeders Owner Larry Ryckman committed to keep the
team in Calgary next season if 16,000 season tickets are
purchased before December 31.  The team has sold between 5,000
and 6,000 to date "and must now sell triple the number in the
next two weeks."  A CALGARY HERALD editorial notes that it may
make look as though "Ryckman has purposely set up a situation
that is destined to fail" in order to have the "moral" authority
to move the team.  If the team leaves, the paper notes, fans can
only blame themselves (CALGARY HERALD, 12/16).  In other
franchise news, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have surpassed their CFL-
imposed mandate of 12,500 season ticket sales.  The league had
threatened to revoke the franchise if the goal was not met
(EDMONTON JOURNAL, 12/17).