FILA'S SPIN-MOVE ON WEBBER DRAWS PRAISE FROM U.S. DRUG CZAR

          Fila's decision to "end the endorsement contract" of
     Kings F Chris Webber "was applauded" by White House drug
     czar Barry McCaffrey, according to Richard Sandomir of the
     N.Y. TIMES.  In a statement, McCaffrey congratulated Fila
     USA on "its commitment to help take drugs out of sports." 
     Fila USA Dir of PR Meredith Geisler said "she had confirmed
     the company's decision to the White House."  But Webber's
     lawyer, Fallasha Erwin, said that Fila "does not have the
     right to unilaterally drop" Webber.  Erwin: "There's a
     process that has to be followed before termination.  I'm
     disappointed the White House would issue a statement or Fila
     would confirm anything to the White House until we go
     through the process" (Richard Sandomir, N.Y. TIMES, 8/30).