Victor Kiam

BOSTON -- Victor Kiam is facing another crisis with the New England Patriots. It could cost the beleaguered Patriots owner control of the team.The Boston Globe has learned that minority owner Fran Murray has asked Kiam to buy out Murray's 49 percent interest before Oct. 15. By contractual arrangement, made in October 1988 when Kiam and Murray purchased the team from Bill Sullivan, Kiam must answer Murray's financial call or turn over control of the team...

ALMOST EVERY SOCIAL issue gets played out on or around the sports pages. You want to talk about drugs? You want to talk about greed? You want to talk about race relations? You want to talk about men and women?Tune in to your local sports station and argue about drug testing on the football field, the undeserving rich on the mound, race relations in the front office, segregation at the golf course. And sexual harassment in the locker room.The story of Lisa Olson, the Boston Herald reporter whose treatment by a gang of Patriots gave new meaning to the term ''locker-room mentality,'' began when a group of naked football players reportedly displayed their parts before her. They suggested that she wanted to reach out and touch someone.

The deadline for New England Patriots owner Victor Kiam to make a $38 million payment to buy out minority owner Fran Murray passed yesterday without resolution, leaving the ownership issue in the hands of the NFL, according to Murray.The ownership contract, signed when Kiam and Murray purchased the Patriots from founder William Sullivan three years ago, stated Kiam had until Oct. 10, 1991, to come up with the money.Murray demanded the full amount by the deadline. At the end of the business day yesterday, no payment had been made and no extension agreement had been reached, he said.

BOSTON -- The New England Patriots yesterday waived tight end Zeke Mowatt, nearly 10 months after he was implicated in the sexual harassment of former Boston Herald reporter Lisa Olson.Mowatt, 30, was dropped two days before the start of rookie training camp. He was paid $400,000 last season, when he was '' acquired from the New York Giants as a Plan B free agent. He collected on much of this year's contract through conditioning incentive bonuses.Another team can now sign Mowatt without compensating the Patriots.

San Francisco 49ers safety Ronnie Lott may need surgery on one of his sprained knees, according to coach George Seifert."It's up in the air right now," Seifert said. "I would say it's week to week as to what's going to take place."Lott sprained both knees in the Dec. 3 game against the New York Giants, hurting the left more seriously than the right. He did not play against the Cincinnati Bengals and was listed as doubtful Thursday for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.He had a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test this week to find out the extent of the damage.

BASEBALL American League* AL -- Named Derek Irwin director of finance.* BOSTON RED SOX -- Optioned Mo Vaughn, first baseman, to Pawtucket of the International League. Recalled Mike Brumly, infielder, from Pawtucket.* MINNESOTA TWINS -- Placed Donnie Hill, infielder, on the 15-day disabled list. Recalled Jeff Reboulet, infielder, from Portland of the Pacific Coast League.* SEATTLE MARINERS -- Sent Rich DeLucia, pitcher, to Calgary of the Pacific Coast League. Recalled Dave Schmidt, pitcher, from Calgary.

"I will have to tell my elder daughter Dalmita that the Mafia also exists in soccer. The penalty which defeated us did not exist and was given to award victory to West Germany and punish Argentina." -- Diego Maradona after West Germany scored on a penalty kick and defeated Argentina, 1-0, to win the World Cup final.* "Throughout my career, I have been publicly attacked and falsely accused of corruption, fight-fixing, bribery and conflicts of interest. The result of these battles is due process: total victory, innocent of all charges."

Herbert Belgrad, chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, said yesterday that he hasn't been contacted by Victor Kiam, the owner of the New England Patriots who told Massachusetts officials Thursday that he may move the team if he doesn't get a new stadium in the Boston area.Belgrad declined to comment when asked whether Kiam had contacted anyone in Baltimore.Stephen Tocco, a special assistant to Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, said Kiam met for a half-hour Thursday with Weld and Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn and outlined some of his options, which included moving to Rhode Island, Baltimore or one of the several cities being considered for an National Football League expansion franchise.

New England Patriots owner Victor Kiam spent much of yesterday at a law firm giving a deposition stemming from the sexual harassment lawsuit filed by sports reporter Lisa Olson.Olson, who is on leave from the Boston Herald, sued Kiam, three players and two front-office employees following an incident last year. Olson said the players approached herin the Patriots locker room and made lewd remarks and exposed themselves. The NFL fined the team and the players.* GIANTS: Linebacker Pepper Johnson let it rip after practice this week, accusing unnamed defensive teammates of not going all-out on every play this season.

He's certainly understandingImagine telling your boss that you would understand if you had to be fired.Sam Wyche did just that. Then again, Wyche's CincinnatBengals are 0-6.Wyche says he spoke with general manager Mike Brown durinthe return flight from Sunday's 35-23 loss to the Dallas Cowboys."