FRANCHISE NOTES

          The popularity of the Sabres among women fans was
     profiled in the BUFFALO NEWS under the header "Hockey
     Heartthrobs -- Those Hot Young Sabres And The Women Who
     Chase Them."  Sabres VP/Marketing Christye Peterson said
     that women are "snapping up the jerseys and merchandise and
     programs" in the gift shop this season (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/13).
     ...Tickets to Market Square Arena for Games Three and Four
     of the Pacers-Bulls series sold out yesterday in five
     minutes (INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS, 5/15)....The Maple Leafs
     are looking into buying or owning an Ontario Hockey League
     team outright as a tenant in Maple Leaf Gardens after the
     Leafs move to Air Canada Centre (TORONTO SUN, 5/15).