FRANCHISE NOTES

          Friday's Hurricanes-Rangers crowd drew 19,358, the
     largest home crowd in Hurricanes history (NEWS & OBSERVER,
     11/22).  The crowd included 8,000 game day walk-ups (N.Y.
     POST, 11/22).  Sunday's Hurricanes home game against the
     Flames was played before 5,516 fans, "the smallest crowd to
     see an NHL game this season" (NEWS & RECORD, 11/24).  
          MLB: While Sonics Owner Barry Ackerley "is willing to
     be a major investor" in Don Smiley's venture to purchase the
     Marlins, should Smiley's bid fail, Ackerley "appears ready
     to step in and put together his own group."  Ackerley would
     not move the team because his company has "large business
     interests in Florida" (Frank Hughes, NEWS TRIBUNE, 11/24).