LIONS GET COOL RECEPTION FROM STATE ON STADIUM FINANCING

     The state is unlikely to offer funding help to the Lions in
their search for a new stadium, according to David Barkholz of
CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS.  Doug Rothwell, CEO of the MI Jobs
Commission, said MI Gov. John Engler "is disinclined" to get
involved in talks on either a new stadium or Silverdome
renovations.  Rothwell, drawing a distinction between the Lions'
request and the state's $55M infrastructure pledge for a new
Tiger Stadium:  "On the one hand, you have a downtown-
redevelopment program for an antiquated ballpark.  With the
Lions, it's basically a lease dispute."  The Lions estimate a new
downtown facility would cost about $200M (CRAIN'S DETROIT
BUSINESS, 1/1 issue).