TENNIS RISES FROM THE ASHES: FROM "DYING" TO "BUYING"

     ESPN's "Cover Story" focused on the roles that Andre Agassi
and Pete Sampras are playing in tennis' revival.  ESPN's Brett
Haber:  "From show companies, two Americans with the contrasting
styles and contrasting personalities have been packaged and then
sold, and the public is buying."  Nike CEO Phil Knight:
"[Tennis] is absolutely coming back, it is indicated by our shoe
and clothing sales and the enthusiasm you see here [at the U.S.
Open].  I really do think that Pete and Andre have been a big
part of that."  ATP Tour CEO Mark Miles:  "In America, we are up
against very tough competition as a sport, the leagues, the NBA,
the NFL and the others are extremely well organized and they have
turned themselves into effective marketing organizations and
tennis hasn't competed in the modern era in that regard"
("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/11).
     MURDOCH BUYS IN:  News Corp. has purchased and placed a
second ATP Tour event in China in an effort increase its
investment in the Tour (TENNIS WEEKLY).