FRANCHISE NOTES

          Former Seahawks coach Chuck Knox has filed a $6M
     lawsuit against Seahawks Owner Paul Allen in L.A. Superior
     Court, claiming "he helped broker" Allen's $200M purchase of
     the team "and didn't get the commission he was promised"
     (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/12)....Detroit's WNBA team will be
     called the Shock and be coached by Nancy Lieberman-Cline
     (DETROIT NEWS, 1/11)....The ABL StingRays drew 6,006
     Saturday at The Pond in Anaheim, but StingRays GM Bill
     McGillis said, "We're still committed to Long Beach as our
     home" (L.A. TIMES, 1/11)....In Philadelphia, Phillies Chair
     Bill Giles: "Somebody told me they heard on TV we'd be sold
     by opening day.  I can tell you unequivocally that nobody is
     talking to us, and even if they did, we have no interest
     whatsoever" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/11).