LEAGUE NOTES

     The IBF has been ordered by a NJ federal court to strip its
Heavyweight Champ, Francois Botha, of his title because he was
not disqualified after admitting steroid use.  The ruling could
lead to a Michael Moorer-Axel Shultz fight for the vacant belt
("SportsCenter," ESPN, 3/27)....The PGA Tour announced yesterday
it has increased the purse for this weekend's Players
Championship from $3M to $3.5M, with the winner earning $630,000
(WASHINGTON POST, 3/28).  Combined with the LPGA's Nabisco Dinah
Shore ($900,000) and the Senior Tour's SBC Dominion ($650,000),
this is a $5M golf weekend (USA TODAY, 3/28)....In Toronto, David
Shoalts examines the rash of head injuries in the NHL this year
and the dispute over equipment standards (GLOBE & MAIL, 3/28).