NAMES IN THE NEWS

          MICHAEL JOHNSON, minority partner in the Mavericks,
     said he has been to "about half" of the team's home games
     this season.  Asked if he has any say in team operations,
     Johnson laughed, adding, "I have a say.  I don't know if
     they listen to it or not" (THE DAILY)....TROY AIKMAN was a
     guest on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.  Aikman, on the
     Cowboys' off-the-field problems in '96: "It was unfortunate
     that everyone kind of gets lumped in there, and that's what
     that season is going to be remembered as" ("Tonight Show,"
     NBC, 2/10)...."ARLISS'" ROBERT WUHL to ESPN's Chris Myers at
     the ESPY Awards: "All you guys at CNN/SI are doing a great
     job" (ESPN, 2/10)....DAVID LETTERMAN, on the DENNIS RODMAN
     doll: "It is $19.95, assault and battery not included"
     ("Late Show," CBS).