TOP U.S. WOMEN SOCCER PLAYERS COMMIT TO NEW U.S. LEAGUE

          Thirteen members of the gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic
     Women's Soccer Team have agreed to play in the National
     Soccer Alliance, the first ever professional women's soccer
     league in the U.S.  Plans for the league will be announced
     Saturday at the SGMA Supershow in Atlanta.  The NSA, which
     will conduct a multi-city "barnstorming tour" this fall, has
     named former WA Governor Booth Gardner as its first
     commissioner (NSA).  MD-based sports attorney Ellen Zavian
     will represent the players for its players association (THE
     DAILY).  Talks have been held with potential sponsors,
     including Nike and Reebok.  The league, which will begin in
     '98, is contemplating eight teams and a top salary of about
     $30,000 (Jerry Langdon, USA TODAY, 2/14).