FRANCHISE NOTES

          The Yankees-Mariners four-game series last week drew
     180,849 to Safeco Field, a new Mariners record.  It
     surpasses the previous high of 175,947 set against the Blue
     Jays in '97 (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/9)....In L.A., Earl Gustkey
     wrote that U.S. women's soccer players Briana Scurry and
     Michelle Akers "have expressed interest" in the WNBA. 
     Sparks President Johnny Buss, asked if the team would give
     either or both a tryout: "Absolutely, yes.  We would do
     that" (L.A. TIMES, 8/9)....In Dallas, David Moore wrote that
     Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones has been "investing heavily in the
     [team's] fortunes," including paying out $41.5M in signing
     bonuses since the start of the year.  The figure is "nearly"
     30% of the total Jones has spent in signing bonuses since
     buying the team in '89 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/8).