Sports briefs for June 3, 2003

Tuesday, June 3, 2003 | 10:01 a.m.

Larry Brown was introduced as the Detroit Pistons' coach two days after Rick Carlisle was fired and one year after Carlisle was the NBA's Coach of the Year.

Brown, 62, inherits a 50-win team that has a talented, young nucleus and holds the No. 2 pick in the June 26 draft.

Brown, who resigned as 76ers coach on May 26 after six seasons, will be paid $25 million over five years, according to a source within the NBA who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Bechler's family ready to sue ephedra makers

Steve Bechler's parents plan to sue the makers of a diet supplement containing ephedra, which a coroner said contributed to the heatstroke death of the Baltimore Orioles pitcher in spring training.

Attorney Todd Macaluso said Ernie and Pat Bechler will sue Cytodyne Technologies, Inc., and Phoenix Laboratories, the manufacturers of Xenadrine RFA-1, a diet supplement that includes ephedra.

The civil action will charge wrongful death, product liability, negligence, fraud and misrepresentation this week, Macaluso said. There was no announcement about how much the family might seek in damages or where the lawsuit would be filed.

Gainey hired as GM

Bob Gainey, a Hall of Fame player who helped lead the Montreal Canadiens to five Stanley Cup titles, was hired as general manager of his old team. It has missed the playoffs four of the past five seasons despite one of hockey's highest payrolls.

Broncos cut Griese

The Denver Broncos released quarterback Brian Griese to clear space under the salary cap.

Griese was once touted as John Elway's replacement, but the Broncos cut ties with the former Pro Bowl selection after two mediocre seasons.

Griese was benched in Denver's final game in 2002, then was given permission to talk with other teams about a possible trade before Jake Plummer was signed in March.