FRANCHISE NOTES

          In Chicago, Jerome Holtzman writes under the header,
     "If Owners Want To Sell Off Stars, It's Their Business." 
     Holtzman: "Should acting commissioner Bud Selig penalize
     [Marlins Owner Wayne] Huizenga?  No way!" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE,
     5/20)....In Charlotte, an OBSERVER editorial, on the
     feasibility of MLB in the city: "[I]t's doable -- barely.
     ... We'd love to have a team.  If private investors can
     bring one here, hurrah. ... But if they want taxpayer money,
     they'll need to (1) not ask for much, and (2) convince
     taxpayers that there's substantial public benefit and little
     public risk" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/20)....The Red Wings
     advanced to the Western Conference finals, triggering a $12M
     up-front bonus for C Sergei Fedorov (DETROIT NEWS, 5/12)....
     In S.F., Glenn Dickey, under the header, "Spirit Of
     Cooperation Is Overtaking Raiders," writes that the team is
     "making great organizational strides" this offseason,
     including reaching out to the city and county in an effort
     to end their long-standing dispute (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/20).