SUITS AGAINST THE NBA SALARY BEGINNING TO PILE UP

     Two NBA players, the Warriors' David Wood and the
Timberwolves' Howard Eisley, sued the NBA in Federal Court in
Newark, NJ, yesterday, alleging that the league's salary cap was
"artificially reduced this season" by $2.75M per team.  The suit
contends that the NBA lowered the players' share of revenues by
some $74M, "anticipating a contribution to a players' pre-pension
benefit plan."  But since plan was "terminated by the union" last
June, the two players contend that the money was "improperly"
returned to team owners.  The players are seeking an increase in
the cap of approximately $2.75M per team to account for the $74M
"allegedly kept by the league."  Attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who
represents both players, said because of salary-cap limitations
claimss, his clients had to sign for the league minimum
(PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/25).  NBA attorney Jeffrey Mishkin
said that no contribution was made to the players' benefit plan
in '93-94 because salaries exceeded 53% of defined gross revenues
(ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 10/25).