MLS PLEDGES TO WORK THROUGH ROCKY TIMES IN DENVER

          MLS Commissioner Doug Logan said the league "would
     support" a new stadium in Denver with a "long lease
     agreement," and is "committed" to the franchise on a "long
     term basis" with or without a new stadium, according to Irv
     Moss in the DENVER POST.  Although the Rapids ranked among
     the lowest in the league last year in attendance, and have
     drawn 19,759 through two games at Mile High this season,
     Logan made a "pledge" to operate in Denver.  Logan said the
     league has made an "amazing overhaul" of the Rapids, part of
     which was aimed at a marketing effort last year that Logan
     called "less than stellar," and this year will target the
     area's Hispanic population to build a larger fan base. 
     Logan: "We'd be perfectly happy remaining in Mile High
     Stadium, but if a new stadium becomes reality and it has a
     grass playing surface, it would make a nice option. ... The
     kind of financial support we could offer would be in the
     form of a lengthy lease agreement" (DENVER POST, 4/23).