ASIAN POWERS BATTLE OVER SOCCER'S 2002 WORLD CUP

     CNBC's "Sports View" reported on the "ferocious,
controversial and sometimes nasty" bidding war between Japan and
South Korea to host the 2002 World Cup.  FIFA is expected to
announce the host country on June 1.  Profits for the event are
expected to exceed the $50M made by the U.S. in '94.  Japan has
already put over $9M into its bid half of which has gone toward
building or renovating stadiums.  As part of its bid, Japan also
launched a pro soccer league, which has drawn large crowds and
big sponsors like Nissan Motor, McDonald's and JAL.  South Korea,
on the other hand, has had more success on the field --
qualifying for the World Cup on four different occasions.  Both
sides have ruled out co-hosting the event (CNBC, 5/20).