PHOENIX GROUP EXPECTS INVITE INTO MLB WITHIN SIX WEEKS

     According to Suns Owner Jerry Colangelo, who is leading
Phoenix's effort to land a MLB franchise, "a strong likelihood"
exists that a franchise will be awarded in the next six weeks.
Although expansion teams are not expected to play until the '97
or '98 season, Phoenix must have an answer by April 1, when
sales-tax legislation that would fund a $253M retractable roof
stadium expires if a franchise is not awarded.  Colangelo made
his comments after a meeting with MLBPA Exec Dir Don Fehr, who
was in Phoenix for a players meeting and gave Colangelo's efforts
a vote of confidence.  Colangelo, who says he talks with the MLB
expansion committee almost daily, said he was glad to have Fehr's
support: "I felt all along that we have an awful lot to offer
baseball" (Paola Boivin, ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/12).