ARE AFL FANS READY TO START LEARNING THE BENSON BOOGIE?

          The Arena Football League Board of Governors approved
     the application for Saints Owner Tom Benson to place an AFL
     team in New Orleans for the '99 or 2000 season.  The Saints
     are the first-ever NFL team to apply for and purchase an AFL
     team.  NFL bylaws previously prohibited NFL owners from
     investing in other football leagues or teams, but an
     amendment to the NFL Constitution was passed last month
     which made the AFL an exception.  The only remaining
     requirement for Benson is to secure a lease at New Orleans
     Arena, which is expected to open in July '99 (AFL).  The AP
     reports that AFL execs feel that "as many as nine more NFL
     teams" may be venturing into the AFL (AP/DETROIT NEWS, 6/4).