Sports digest 12/4/01

Jordan to miss game with knee injury

WASHINGTON -- More than eight years and two retirements later, Michael Jordan is finally going to miss another NBA game because of an injury.

Jordan had fluid drained from his right knee Monday and will miss the Washington Wizards' game at San Antonio tonight, the start of a four-game road trip.

An MRI revealed no serious damage to the knee, so Jordan might return for Thursday's game at Houston.

Jordan hyperextended his knee during a preseason game, and this was the second time he has had fluid drained from it. He has been bothered by soreness and swelling in the knee -- on top of the tendinitis he has felt in both knees since he resumed workouts earlier this year.

At 38, Jordan has barely been able to practice for more than a week. When he does, he can't make it through the entire session.

Jordan is averaging 24.8 points and 38 minutes per game and is shooting 40 percent, well below his career average. He also leads the league in shots taken and shots missed.

Chiefs sign Kennison to two-year contract

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Wide receiver Eddie Kennison has signed a two-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, the team announced Monday.

Kennison, a six-year veteran, played eight games with the Denver Broncos this season, catching 15 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown.

The Broncos released Kennison in November after he told coach Mike Shanahan he had lost his love for the game and was retiring. Kennison made the announcement just 16 hours before a game, forcing coaches and backup receivers to make quick adjustments.

A few days later, Kennison said he changed his mind. He said illnesses suffered by his wife and father and disappointment over his lack of productivity on the field had led to his original statement.

Kennison, 28, led New Orleans and Chicago in receiving in 1999 and 2000, respectively. He spent his first three seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams.

Keenan to coach his seventh team

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers, tied for the fewest wins in the NHL, hired Mike Keenan as their coach Monday.

He replaces Duane Sutter, fired a day earlier following the team's miserable start. The Panthers also fired general manager Bill Torrey, and promoted assistant general manager Chuck Fletcher on an interim basis.

Keenan, who has coached six other teams including the St. Louis Blues and won a Stanley Cup in 1994 with the New York Rangers, also will serve as the team's assistant GM.

Louisville keeps alive work on finance plan

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The city's Board of Aldermen on Monday narrowly approved a $50,000 contract for a consultant to continue working on a $259 million financing plan for a downtown NBA arena.

The 6-5 vote to retain the Washington, D.C.-based Goal Group keeps alive, at least for now, Louisville's quest to lure the Charlotte Hornets.

Hornets co-owner Ray Wooldridge said on a visit here last Thursday that Louisville remains his "primary choice." He has also spoken with officials in St. Louis and Norfolk, Va.

-- From wire reports