FRANCHISE NOTES

          In Phoenix, Cardinals Coach Vince Tobin has named AZ
     State Univ. alum Jake Plummer as Sunday's starting QB
     against the Oilers.  While more than 42,000 tickets remained
     as of yesterday afternoon, a "significant change" is
     expected after the Plummer announcement.  But team
     VP/General Counsel Michael Bidwill said that the club "won't
     launch any quick promotional schemes on short notice to
     capitalize on Plummer's popularity in the Valley" (ARIZONA
     REPUBLIC, 10/22)....The Avalanche will have their 100th
     consecutive sellout tonight against the Capitals, which is
     the NHL's longest active streak (USA TODAY, 10/22)....The
     Nets have retained New York City PR exec Howard Rubinstein
     after a NJ report had them making "contingency plans" to
     move out of Continental Airlines Arena.  Rubinstein: "The
     Nets want to remain in New Jersey.  They have never
     threatened to leave the state" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 10/20).