FRANCHISE NOTES

     Magic VP/Operations John Gabriel could be leaving to rejoin
the 76ers.  TAMPA TRIBUNE's Bill Fay writes Gabriel has spoken
with new 76ers President Pat Croce, but nothing was "officially
discussed."  Gabriel is in the final year of his Magic deal.  He
his career with Philadelphia, is a friend of Croce, and has
family in the city (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 3/26).....The Eagles agreed to
move their training camp from West Chester Univ. to Lehigh Univ.
An NFL source said it is likely the team will save $10,000
(PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/26)....The GLOBE & MAIL examines the
payrolls of the Expos and Blue Jays.  The Jays currently come in
just over $31.5M, compared to $43M last year.  The Expos stand at
$15.5M, compared to $10.5M in '95 (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/26)....The new
Western Professional Hockey League franchise in El Paso will be
called the Buzzards (WPHL)....The N.Y. POST's Neal Travis reports
Mets Co-Owners Nelson Doubleday Jr. and Fred Wilpon "have reached
the stage where they don't speak to each other."  Speculation is
that Doubleday may seek a buyer for his stake (N.Y. POST,
3/26)....MLS hopes for a sellout crowd of 26,000 for their league
opener April 6 in San Jose.  Sales through Monday were at 24,000
(USA TODAY, 3/26)....A crowd of 17,603, the largest in NPSL
history, attended the Spirit-Ambush game Saturday night at Kiel
Center (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/25)....The Diamondbacks
announced a two-year working agreement with the Triple-A Mexican
League Owls (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/26)....Former Browns QB Bernie
Kosar wants to be part of a new Cleveland team, either as a part
owner or in a player-personnel role.  Kosar reportedly has
aligned himself with Cleveland financiers Bob Gries and Alfred
Lerner (Akron BEACON JOURNAL, 3/26)....Asked about reports the
Sabres are planning to change team colors and logo, team
spokesperson Gil Chorbajian noted there will be some changes,
with an announcement in the "next month or so."  Details are
still being finalized (THE DAILY)....The Colonial Hockey League's
Brantford Smoke has been fined $25,000 and Owner Roger Davis
"could lose the franchise" after a recent forfeit (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 3/26).