NHLPA AND LEAGUE AGREE "IN PRINCIPLE" TO SEND PROS TO NAGANO

     NHLPA Exec Dir Bob Goodenow and NHL Commissioner Gary
Bettman have "agreed in principle" to allow NHL players to
participate in the '98 Winter Games in Nagano.  The two met with
IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch and officials from the IIHF
in Lussanne, Switzerland.  NHL VP of Public Relations Arthur
Pincus:  "There is a series of issues that has to be worked out
before a definite commitment can be made.  We're operating on a
timetable of mid-July for a final decision."  The NHL would have
to stop its season for 10-12 days to accommodate the Games.  The
possibility of staging of a World Cup Tournament in '97 was also
discussed (George Gross, TORONTO SUN, 3/16).