AF2 EXPANSION SET IN MARKETS AS LONG AS FACILITIES ARE SOUND

          af2 announced last week that it will expand to three
     new markets, as the league's BOD approved applications for
     franchises in Southaven, MS (near Memphis), Cedar Rapids,
     IA, and Omaha, NE.  The MS franchise will begin play next
     season at the new 8,300-seat DeSoto County Civic Center and
     will be owned by the same group that owns the CHL Memphis
     RiverKings.  The IA and NE franchises, which will both be
     owned by AFL/af2 Founder Jim Foster, will begin play
     "whenever a suitable arena is found" (ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-
     GAZETTE, 7/8).  Omaha voters recently approved a referendum
     to build a new arena to be completed in 2003.  If Cedar
     Rapids does not meet af2 specifications for an arena,
     Waterloo, IA, may become a candidate for the team (af2).
          THEY'RE PLAYING BASKETBALL: Southaven, MS, has also
     been selected by ABA2000 to host a franchise to begin play
     in November.  The team will play at the DeSoto County Civic
     Center and be owned by a five-man group led by AZ attorney
     Gary Elbogen (Memphis COMMERCIAL-APPEAL, 7/7).