additionally, the NFL threatened Behring with fining him $500,000 each day if he didn't bring the team back from Southern California. Having seen his effort to permanently relocate the franchise thwarted, Behring decided to sell. A potential buyer was found in Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who reached an agreement to buy the club if a new stadium would be built. After funding a special statewide election for stadium financing, a new stadium for the Seahawks went forward and Allen purchased the team. Under the new ownership, Bob Whitsitt was installed as president of the club and big-name players such as Chad Brown, Warren Moon, and Ricky Watters were brought in raising hopes in Seattle that a page had been turned. What followed instead was more mediocrity as the club in 1997 and 1998 failed to get over the .500 mark with consecutive 8-8 marks. This led to head coach Dennis Erickson ultimately being fired at the end of the 1998 season. This period was not without its memorable moments, specifically Vinny Testaverde's "Phantom Touchdown" in a regular season game, an officiating error that became a primary factor in the NFL's reinstatement of instant replay. The error resulted in a 32–31 loss to the New York Jets. The NFL officially apologized for the officiating error. Instant replay was reinstated in the NFL the following season. Referee Phil Luckett, who headed the crew that made the touchdown call (the call itself was made by head linesman Earnie Frantz), was later reassigned at his request to back judge, and is also infamous for another controversial issue during the Thanksgiving game on November 26 between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions. 1999–2008: The Mike Holmgren era 1999–2001 In 1999, the Seahawks made their biggest coaching hire with the appointment of Green Bay Packers head coach Mike Holmgren. Coming off his success with the Packers, Holmgren was given the dual role of general manager and head coach. The hiring brought instant credibility to the franchise as under Holmgren's guidance, the Seahawks won their second division title and first playoff berth since 1988. That year included a memorable 27–7 win over Holmgren's former team, the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football but despite a strong 8–2 start, the Seahawks lost 5 of their last 6 to close out the regular season. This skid continued on into the playoffs as the Seahawks lost the final