FRANCHISE NOTES

          In L.A., Bob Nightengale wrote that Dodgers Owner Peter
     O'Malley, "protecting his employees from being arbitrarily
     fired after a possible sale to Rupert Murdoch, began
     providing personal service contracts Friday to his front-
     office staff."  Nightengale noted it is "the first time most
     of the employees have had a contract" (L.A. TIMES, 5/24).   
     The deals are reportedly for "at least" three years and up
     to five years (L.A. TIMES, 5/28)....An ad in last Thursday's
     WALL STREET JOURNAL under the "Businesses For Sale"
     classified banner: "For Sale. Triple A Baseball Team.
     Profitable. 10,000 Seat Stadium - Prosperous City. $12
     Million US."  The ad asked respondents to reply to the
     Journal's Dallas office (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/22).  In San
     Antonio, David King reported that the ad is for the AAA
     Charlotte Knights (EXPRESS-NEWS, 5/26)....EMC Corp. co-
     founder Roger Marino's purchase of 50% of the Penguins was
     approved by the NHL Board of Governors (Game Plan Inc.).