WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE INKS BALLGIRL TO FOUR-YEAR DEAL

          The U.S. Pro Volleyball League (USPVL), "being
     developed" for its debut in January 2001, has signed a
     "seven-figure, four-year" sponsorship deal with Ballgirl
     Athletics, according to Marjo Rankin Bliss of the CHARLOTTE
     OBSERVER.  The league will have six to ten teams in the
     Midwest, with an expansion plan "moving" into the Southeast,
     Northeast and West, respectively, in five-year increments.  
     Players will receive $30,000 for the 15-month training
     period "leading up to the debut," and for players "who sign
     on after" that, annual salaries will range from $30,000-
     50,000.  Rankin Bliss: "WNBA players had to unionize to get
     that kind of salary!"  USPVL Dir of PR Heather Kolasch: "One
     of the long-term objectives of the league is to provide a
     talent pool for the Olympics" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/30).