MILLER PONDERING POSSIBLE RENEWAL (OR SPIKE) OF AVP DEAL?

          Some AVP tour players "have taken on second jobs during
     the season," while some "have left the tour altogether," as
     it faces budget cuts, according to Don Norcross of the SAN
     DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE.  More "bad news" hit the AVP Tour
     earlier this month via Miller Brewing's decision "not to
     exercise a clause in its contract to renew its sponsorship." 
     Miller spokesperson Mark Spiegel said the company will
     "evaluate its sponsorship" at the end of the season, which
     concludes next week.  Spiegel: "I don't think this means
     Miller will not be involved with professional beach
     volleyball after 1998."  Tour player Karch Kiraly: "I think
     Miller would prefer to scale back its involvement."  AVP CEO
     Harry Usher said that he "expects the tour to be sold next
     year," and also thinks that the tour, "if there is one, will
     be reduced from 22 to 18 tournaments" (UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/24).