FRANCHISE NOTES

          A QUICK LERNER? In Akron, Patrick McManamon wrote that
     Browns Owner Al Lerner has "stayed in the background and
     provided unbelievable support for his organization, which is
     very good.  Make that very, very good."  McManamon: "The
     more I'm around Lerner, though, and the more I hear him
     talk, one word comes to mind: Wise" (BEACON JOURNAL, 9/13).
          A-OK CITY! In Oklahoma City, Bill Kramer reported the
     AFL Barnstormers and Forest Dragons are both "interested" in
     relocating to the city.  AFL Founder & Barnstormers Owner
     James Foster, who is trying to build a new arena in Des
     Moines for his team, said Oklahoma City "has been a diamond
     in the rough for a long time as a good market" for the AFL. 
     More Foster, on the presentation made by Oklahoma City Mayor
     Kirk Humphreys during the AFL league meetings in August: "I
     know there were some owners sitting around the table
     listening, who were saying to themselves, 'Why am I not
     talking to this guy?'" (OKLAHOMAN, 9/11).