MLS EYES RIGHTS TO WORLD CUP TELECAST FOR IN-STADIUM USE

          MLS' Exec Committee "approved a plan yesterday to reduce
     the number of league games to six during the first two weeks
     of the World Cup in France next summer," league sources told
     Mark Asher of the WASHINGTON POST.  MLS Commissioner Doug
     Logan had said that the league "could not afford to close
     down" during the World Cup, to be held June 10-July 12. 
     League sources said yesterday that three games will be played
     each weekend, with each team "playing once during the two-
     week period."  MLS execs "are also attempting to acquire
     broadcast rights to some World Cup matches and market them as
     in-stadium telecasts in a doubleheader format with the league
     games being played during that period."  Logan declined
     comment, saying an official announcement could be made today. 
     In related news, MLS COO Mark Abbott said that talks with ABC
     and ESPN regarding a new TV deal should be completed in "the
     next few weeks" (Mark Asher, WASHINGTON POST, 8/14).