VIKINGS STILL ON THE BLOCK: SALE COMMITTEE KEEPING BUSY

          The Vikings' three-member sale committee "has met with
     several groups interested in purchasing the team, including
     some local ownership candidates," according to Don Banks of
     the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE.  Vikings Board Member Wheelock
     Whitney: "We've gotten a number of inquiries, particularly
     since news of the sale became public."  Banks adds that
     groups from Birmingham, AL, L.A. and Toronto have met with
     the committee.  A Birmingham group, headed by Dr. Larry
     Lemak, "is believed to be close to submitting a bid in the
     $200 million range" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/11).
          WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT? In St. Paul, Charley Walters
     writes that "the word is half of the Vikings' 10 owners will
     attempt to remain as passive investors if the team is sold,"
     while the other five "are expected to cash out."  An
     "informed" source said that T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor
     "might be interested in joining the new Vikings group as an
     active partner," and that Taylor "would want management
     input but not as the principal owner" (PIONEER PRESS,12/11).