FRANCHISE NOTES

          MN: In MN, Charley Walters reports that season-ticket
     depositors ($100 nonrefundable) for the Wild number 10,400,
     and "team officials say they have yet to put club seats and
     private suites on sale.  The team projects it will surpass
     12,000 by December."  Walters also reports that Rush
     Limbaugh "is being mentioned" as a possible Vikings investor
     with Tom Clancy, and that "the rumor of actor Tom Selleck as
     an investor won't die" (STAR TRIBUNE, 3/27).  
          NOTES: Nets GM John explained the circumstances "that
     led to his argument" with agent David Falk in Nets' locker
     room after Wednesday's game against the Sixers.  Nash: "It's
     unfortunate.  It's really not the way I prefer to do
     business."  In Newark, Don Burke reports that the team
     policy which prohibits agents from being in the locker room
     "was apparently not enforced."  Falk did not return phone
     calls (STAR-LEDGER, 3/27)....With five days remaining before
     their March 31 deadline, the NHL Predators have sold 11,512
     season tickets, 488 season tickets short of their 12,000-
     mark goal (Predators)....The Georgia Dome has decided to let
     the Hawks shoot for the NBA attendance record of 61,983 for
     tonight's game against the Bulls.  As of yesterday, the team
     had sold 56,540 tickets (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 3/27)....The
     Coyotes Goals for Kids Foundation on Wednesday gave $20,000
     to the Sojourner Center to help alleviate a shortage of
     space at the domestic-violence shelter (ARIZONA REPUBLIC,
     3/27)....In Tampa, the Mutiny drew 6,035 last night for
     their game versus the Fusion (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 3/27)....The
     Hurricanes drew 15,426 last night for their game against the
     Rangers.  In Raleigh, Steve Politi reports that NHL
     Commissioner Gary Bettman will make his second appearance in
     NC this season when he visits March 31 to help the Canes
     unveil a new season-ticket package (NEWS & OBSERVER, 3/27).