FRANCHISE NOTES

     Oilers DB Cris Dishman has filed a grievance against the
Oilers in conjunction with the NFLPA over the team's method of
paying its players.  Dishman and the NFLPA want to force the
Oilers to pay players over the 17-week regular season rather than
the current policy of paying 1/3 of the salary over the season,
1/3 before April and 1/3 in May.  The grievance is scheduled to
be heard by an arbitrator in Houston next week (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 10/8)....The block on Chicago Avenue between 4th and
5th Streets in front of the Metrodome Plaza was officially
renamed Kirby Puckett Place.  The Twins offices are not located
at 34 Kirby Puckett Place (Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE,
10/8)....Twins Owner Carl Pohlad said he is not interested in
selling the club and has not been approached by either Clark
Griffith or Vance Opperman, who both have expressed interest.
Pohlad:  "The club is not for sale.  Opperman hasn't talked to
me" (Minneapolis STAR-TRIBUNE, 10/6)....NFL Dir of Communications
Greg Aiello said Bears LB Bryan Cox will receive a fine of "at
least $10,000" for making an obscene gesture at an official
during Sunday's loss to Green Bay.  Aiello: "Abuse of game
officials is against our rules, both physical contact and extreme
verbal abuse (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/8).