NAMES IN THE NEWS

     Tigers owner MIKE ILITCH has hired JOHN McHALE to oversee
the club's operation and will likely spearhead the drive for a
new stadium.  McHale comes from the Rockies where he was vice
president (Mel Antonen, USA TODAY, 1/11). ...DAVE COHEN may be on
the "verge of a major breakthrough" as he is the favorite to be
the new voice on Yankee telecasts.  MSG is also "leaning" toward
ESPN's JIM KAAT to replace Tony Kubek on their telecasts (Phil
Mushnick, N.Y. POST, 1/11).....The Seahawks' chances of landing
U. of Miami coach DENNIS ERICKSON "might be slipping away"
(SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 1/11)....HAKEEM OLAJUWON, RONNIE
LOTT, and MARCUS ALLEN have retained the services of NY-based
Silverman, Warren/Kremer, Inc for publicity, promotion, and
strategic positioning activities (Silverman,
Warren/Kremer)....FIFA has fired its director of press relations,
GUIDO TOGNONI, and competitions head MIGUEL GALAN.  Both have
been with soccer's governing body for more than 10 years
(WASHINGTON POST, 1/11).