FRANCHISE NOTES

          Boxing promoter Rock Newman "alleged" that the Reds
     "reneged" on a deal that would have made him the owner of a
     minor league baseball team in Dayton, OH.  Reds Dir of Media
     Relations Rob Butcher said the club had no comment on
     Newman's allegations (WASHINGTON POST, 10/21)....In N.Y.,
     Harvey Araton examines George Steinbrenner's ballpark
     strategy under the header "Yanks Ignore The Hispanic
     Influence."  Araton writes that Yankee Stadium sits in a
     borough that is 50% Hispanic, in a city that is 30% Hispanic
     and, "These are the people who for years have foolishly been
     ignored, alienated and downright maligned by Steinbrenner's
     organization."  Araton: "Baseball owners had better
     understand that they will not grow their game doing what
     basketball does, catering to the rich while telling the
     working class to sit home and watch" (N.Y. TIMES,10/21).
     ...The ABL Xplosion said it "should have about" $650,000 in
     corporate support this season (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 10/20).