WOMEN'S WORLD CUP ATTRACTING FANS, SPONSORS ALIKE

          The '99 FIFA Women's World Cup has sold over 50,000
     tickets and attracted "several major sponsors," according to
     Abby Haight of the Portland OREGONIAN.  Ticket sales began
     last week for the tournament, which will be held June 19-
     July 10, 1999, at eight U.S. sites.  Women's World Cup
     President Marla Messing: "Coming out of the blocks, I think
     we've done very well."  Almost all of the allotted special
     tickets have been sold for Giants Stadium, site of the
     opening ceremony and first match; the Rose Bowl, site of the
     championship final and closing ceremony; and Solider Field,
     where the U.S. team will play on June 24.  Haight added that
     the Women's World Cup has signed Coca-Cola, adidas, Bud
     Light and MasterCard as sponsors and is "negotiating with
     several other international companies" (OREGONIAN, 5/9).