FRANCHISE NOTES

          The WNBA Mystics' inaugural game tonight is "virtually
     sold out," and as of early yesterday, "fewer than" 1,000
     tickets remained.  The team has sold about 6,800 season
     tickets so far (WASHINGTON POST, 6/19).  Among those
     expected to be guests of Washington Sports' Abe Pollin for
     tonight's opener are Secretary of Health and Human Services
     Donna Shalala, DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, U.S.
     Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Justice Sandra Day
     O'Connor, WNBA President Val Ackerman and Tipper Gore
     (WASHINGTON POST, 6/19)...It has been one year since Dave
     Montgomery's promotion to President of the Phillies, and
     Paul Hagen writes that he "still remains something of an
     enigma," but there "are some signs that he might be finding
     his stride in his new role" (PHILA. INQUIRER, 6/19). ...The
     Seahawks named WA-based Publicis for its estimated $1M ad
     account.  There was no previous agency (AD AGE, 4/18).