1.   The Marlins come as close to being instant pudding as almost any professional franchise in history.

2.   At the time of that deal, some analysts had criticized Comcast for paying a steep price for two professional franchises without an affiliated cable sports network.

3.   Critics point out that professional franchise are awarded to metropolitan areas, not states.

4.   In England, hardly a second thought is given to secondary school or college when a superbly gifted soccer player is offered a contract with a professional franchise.

5.   Local ownership of more than one professional franchise is not unprecedented.

6.   Neither has a major league professional franchise in any sport.

7.   No current professional franchise has started this pathetically.

8.   Surely, that kind of success by a neighboring professional franchise has to put just the tiniest bit of pressure on the Rangers, the Mavericks and the Stars.

9.   The licenses have been used by professional franchises to take advantage of a rabid, new fan base.

10.   The normal progression would be for Leget to seek a full-time position as trainer for a professional franchise other than the Comets at some point.