FRANCHISE NOTES

          MLB's ownership committee "is set" to give permission
     to the Blue Jays to launch negotiations with a consortium
     led by Toronto real-estate developer Murray Frum.  Blue Jays
     owner Interbrew has been "eager" to sell the team since
     taking over the franchise in '95 (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL,
     3/25)....In D.C., columnist Tony Kornheiser, on the Bullets'
     and Caps' raising ticket prices at the MCI Center next year:
     "I mean, for $75, I can go to a play (and have money left
     over for something to eat), or get three months of cable and
     watch the same team on TV -- and not stand on line for the
     bathroom" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/25).....In Detroit, the Tigers
     aren't expecting a sellout for their home opener.  Team
     VP/Business Ops Dave Glazier said they are hoping to draw
     1.4 million for the season.  The team drew 1.169 million
     last season (DETROIT NEWS, 3/25).