Franchise Notes

In Minneapolis, Sid Hartman reports Gateway Computers Chair & CEO Ted Waite recently hired Piper Rudnick partner Peter Bynoe to “explore the possibility of a bid for the Vikings.” Bynoe two years ago represented the Univ. of Minnesota in negotiations “for a shared stadium with the Vikings” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/7).

HOT COMMODITY: ESPN’s Ric Bucher, on Raptors F Vince Carter wanting to be traded: “The problem is Toronto has him selling tickets and as troubled as Vince has been there’s nobody in the league right now that they can deal for, outside of say, (76ers G) Allen Iverson, that would sell tickets as well as he does in Toronto” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 10/6).