MONEY MATTERS: WWC ON THE VERGE OF EARNING PROFIT?

          Women's World Cup (WWC) organizers "expect a money
     surplus" after the event ends with a doubleheader Saturday
     at the Rose Bowl, according to Gary Mihoces of USA TODAY,
     who writes that the WWC "runneth over."  WWC President & CEO
     Marla Messing: "As big as I thought this tournament would
     be, it has been bigger."  The WWC has operated on a budget
     of "about" $30M (USA TODAY, 7/9).  USA TODAY's Peter
     Brewington reports that the U.S. team will "split" $250,000,
     or $12,500 a player, if it beats China in Saturday's Final
     (USA TODAY, 7/9).  In Miami, Michelle Kaufman, on the prize
     money: "The U.S. women aren't complaining.  They're having
     too much fun" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/9).  Messing was interviewed
     by CNNfn's Beverly Schuch on "Business Unusual."  Messing,
     on the women's pay from the USSF: "I think these women
     certainly deserve to be compensated appropriately for what
     they've done for the sport" (CNNfn, 7/8).
          NUMBER CRUNCHING: In DC, John Pomfret reports that
     China's female soccer players are state employees and "make
     less than" $4,000 a year.  Meanwhile, the men's players
     "make, on average," $60,000 year (WASHINGTON POST, 7/9).  In
     CA, Randy Youngman, on the WWC attendance surpassing
     400,000: "For the record, the Montreal Expos haven't reached
     that plateau after 44 home dates this season" (O.C.
     REGISTER, 7/8).  Messing, on the expected sellout crowd at
     the Rose Bowl: "We dreamed about selling out the final. ...
     It's one thing to say it, but doing it is another matter"
     (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/8).  CNNfn's Chip Chirimbes reported
     that WWC Finals tickets are being "scalped for between $300
     and $500" ("Biz Buzz," CNNfn, 7/8).
          MORE LEAGUE REAX: In Cleveland, Liz Robbins reports
     that MLS COO Mark Abbott is "drafting" a business plan for a
     women's pro league in 2001 with funding from Discovery
     Channel Founder John Hendricks.  U.S. coach Tony DiCicco:
     "The reality is, we cannot sustain the success of the
     national team without having some sort of a professional
     league" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 7/9).  U.S. D Brandi
     Chastain: "We're demanding a league.  You can't deny us that
     because you think there's a lack of interest" (WASHINGTON
     POST, 7/9).  CBS SportsLine's Mark Alesia: "Soon, the
     overbearing hype for the [WWC] will go away, and so will the
     notion that this could work in the context of an American
     soccer league" (CBS SportsLine, 7/8).  USA TODAY's Christine
     Brennan: "Where the women go from here is uncertain; it
     likely will be a lucrative place.  But already they know
     theirs is a remarkable achievement" (USA TODAY, 7/9)....
          NOTES: In L.A., Randy Harvey floats Messing as a
     candidate to replace MLS Commissioner Doug Logan "if [he] is
     out soon, as has been rumored" (L.A. TIMES,
     7/7)....Chastain, on WWC attendance: "It's way beyond the
     Rose Bowl and Giants Stadium.  We haven't reached the Pope
     status yet, but we're working on it" ("World News Tonight,"
     ABC, 7/8)....China Central Television will broadcast the WWC
     Final live just before 7:00am (USA TODAY, 7/9)....CBS' Dan
     Rather said Saturday's U.S.-China WWC Final "has all the
     atmosphere of a Super Bowl" ("Evening News," CBS, 7/8).   
     ABC's Robin Roberts followed with a 2:30 preview of the WWC
     Final (ABC, 7/8).  NBC "Nightly News" ran a promo touting
     the U.S. Women's team to be aired tonight (THE DAILY).