FRANCHISE NOTES

          In Pittsburgh, columnist Ron Cook wrote that Mario
     Lemieux's seven-year, $42M contract "could be remembered as
     the fatal blow" to the team, a move "that started a series
     of events that has put the Penguins in financial jeopardy." 
     But Cook does not blame Lemieux, for he "merely took what he
     could get.  But we can blame owner Howard Baldwin for giving
     it to him" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 6/16)....Tom Hicks'
     acquisition of the MLB Rangers was officially completed
     yesterday.  Hicks' official title will be Owner & Chair (FT.
     WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 6/17)....Due to "softened sales," the
     Magic FanAttic stores are "stripping down" by closing "two
     of its four retail outlets."  Magic FanAttic is owned by RDV
     Sports (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 6/17).