... FRANCHISE NOTES NIPPING AT YOUR NOSE

          MLB Giants season-ticket prices will increase an
     average of 9.2% for their final season in 3Com Park.  The
     average ticket price will go from $13.24 to $14.41, but
     those who have paid for charter seats at Pac Bell Park will
     pay less for some seats in '99 (S.F. EXAMINER, 12/18)....
     The Red Wings plan to open a "Hockeytown" team store in
     Troy, MI.  The Red Wings would become one of 13 NHL teams
     with an off-site merchandise store (DETROIT NEWS, 12/22)....
     The January 4 Predators-Mighty Ducks game will be moved from
     7:00pm to 5:00pm so it will be done prior to the start of
     the Fiesta Bowl, in which the Univ. of TN will be playing FL
     State Univ. for the national title.  The bowl game will also
     be shown on the arena scoreboard (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/20).