THE CFL MEETS ITS DESTINY THIS WEEK

     The CFL Board of Governors meet in Edmonton this week to
determine the fate of the league.  According to Marty York of the
Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, the Shreveport Pirates, Birmingham
Barracudas, Memphis Mad Dogs and San Antonio Texans "have either
folded, have no stadiums to play in or will not be permitted to
be part of the CFL in 1996."  York reports CFL Commissioner Larry
Smith "will announce on Friday that the league will use 1996 to
regroup and formulate new plans for U.S expansion in 1997."  One
of Smith's Friday announcements will be the league's return to
Montreal in the form of the Baltimore Stallions.  Stallions Owner
Jim Speros said he will allow fans to decide whether to keep the
team name or "resurrect" the Alouettes (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL,
1/31).  Stephen Brunt writes CFL leaders "will try to frame
Friday's announcement like a return to sanity, to good times
past.  The truth will be far more sad and desperate than that"
(GLOBE & MAIL, 1/31).