FRANCHISE NOTES

          USA TODAY's Gordon Forbes reports that the NFL "is
     expected to allow" 49ers co-Owner Eddie DeBartolo to regain
     ownership of the 49ers "in time" for the March meetings (USA
     TODAY, 12/17)....New Coliseum Partners President Ed Roski
     led a group to Pittsburgh yesterday to "lobby" Steelers
     President Dan Rooney for his support of the group's bid for
     the NFL's 32nd franchise in L.A. (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE,
     12/17)....Tuesday night's Islanders-Sharks attendance of
     15,892 at San Jose Arena was the smallest Sharks crowd since
     14,868 in '93 (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 12/16). ...IHL Blades
     President & CEO Dan DeVos issued a statement saying he is
     "not actively trying to sell" the team (Blades).