TAX EXEMPT STATUS OF SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS BACK IN THE NEWS

     The tax exempt status of some "non-profit" organizations is
back in the new -- again, with a focus on the sports world.  The
issue is the cover story in this week's U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
and was featured on ABC's "World News Tonight" last night.  The
salaries paid to top executives at the PGA Tour, MLBPA and the
NFL are detailed in the U.S. NEWS piece by Pound, Cohen & Loeb.
One thing "that has captured the attention of the few members of
Congress willing to take on non-profits and their powerful
lobbies is executive compensation.  The dollars are huge."  The
NFL pays Commissioner Paul Tagliabue $2.5M and has given him a
$250,000 loan.  Also listed is the salary of the MLBPA Exec Dir
Donald Fehr (U.S. NEWS, 10/2 issue).  Last night, ABC's John
Martin examined the ATP and PGA Tours.   While players pay taxes
on earnings, "business leagues" like the PGA and ATP are
exempted.  Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND):  "I think it is safe to say
the IRS has no idea how much money they are losing here" ("World
News Tonight," ABC, 9/25).