FRANCHISE NOTES

     Rock promoter Don Kirshner has joined prospective bidders
for the Nets.  Kirshner's group may have to surpass the $95M
offer made by the Devils ownership (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/16). ....The
Twins have sold 8,739 season tickets, their 6th-highest total
ever, a number Commun Dir Dave St. Peter says indicates "a better
climate for baseball" than in '95 (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE,
4/17)....Former Lightning Exec VP Mel Lowell has dropped his suit
against the team after majority owner, Tokyo-based Kokusai Green
Co., agreed to buy his minority interest (Tampa TRIBUNE,
4/17)....Waco's Western Professional Hockey League franchise has
unveiled its new name and logo -- the Wizards.  Colors are teal,
purple, red, gold and black and the logo depicts "a very powerful
modern-day super-hero type of Wizard" (WPHL).