FRANCHISE NOTES

          Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner told N.Y. radio
     station WCBS-AM yesterday that "he might diminish his role"
     as team owner if they win the World Series: "I think that
     might be the time to think about a lot less involvement. 
     I'm thinking of less involvement every day" (AP, 10/1).
     ...MLS Commissioner Doug Logan, on the Dallas Burn, whose
     attendance dipped 40% this year, the biggest drop in the
     league: "I can offer iron-clad assurances that Dallas will
     be part of this league for as far as the eye can see.  MLS
     soccer will work in Dallas" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/1).
     ...The AFL will expand to Buffalo for the '99 season.  The
     franchise will be headed up by Mark Hamister, Chair & CEO of
     Buffalo Sports Enterprise, who will be the owner of the AFL
     team and sit on the AFL Board of Directors (AFL).