FRANCHISE NOTES

          In L.A., Ross Newhan looks at the Dodgers sale by
     examining the aftermath of the five most recently sold MLB
     teams, including the Pirates, Padres, Cardinals, A's and
     Angles (L.A. TIMES, 1/28)....N.Y. investment banker Robert
     Wetenhall said talks between him and former CFL Alouettes
     majority owner Michael Gelfand "are moving ahead" and a
     formal proposal to buy the team Alouettes "will be
     forthcoming" (Montreal GAZETTE, 1/23)....The CANADIAN PRESS
     examines the NBA in Canada under header, "Problems Plague
     Canada's NBA Franchises."  In Vancouver, "the coach has been
     fired and the fans are restless," while in Toronto, "the
     ownership has changed and the fans are staying away"
     (VANCOUVER SUN, 1/28)....In N.Y., Michael Lewis notes the
     MLS MetroStars unveiled their new uniforms at Niketown,
     featuring new shirts, black and red vertical stripes with
     white trim and their alternate jerseys, black and white
     stripes with red trim  (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/28).