MURDOCH LOOKING TO BRING RUGBY ACROSS THE POND TO U.S.

          News Corp. Chair Rupert Murdoch is planning "to expand
     his global sporting empire" by launching a professional
     rugby league in "at least eight major" U.S. cities,
     according to Peter Jackson of the London DAILY MAIL.  U.S.A.
     Rugby confirmed that it is in talks with the Fox Network and
     "have agreed to explore and establish" competition beginning
     in the spring of 2000.  Jackson wrote that the coast-to-
     coast championship would be worth "at least" $85M over five
     years, "providing a potential new market" for int'l players
     from Britain.  A U.S.A. Rugby exec: "This is going to be a
     monumental deal for rugby in America" (DAILY MAIL, 10/14).