WORLD CUP, PART II: WILL SPONSORS PONY UP FOR TV TIME?

          Of the official World Cup '98 sponsors, who are each
     paying $20M over four years, "only three" -- MasterCard, A-B
     and Canon -- have purchased ad packages on ABC and ESPN
     telecasts, according to Stefan Fatsis of the WALL STREET
     JOURNAL.  Network execs say the other event sponsors,
     including GM, McDonald's and Gillette, "argued" that camera
     shots of their playing-field signs "would be enough
     exposure."  ABC Sports Senior VP David Downs: "I was
     disappointed they wouldn't also choose to spend the money
     necessary to be associated with the American telecast." 
     Fatsis adds that the companies "have balked at the modest"
     $3-6M that ABC and ESPN are charging, in part because only 11
     games will be seen on ABC (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/5).
          THE DRAW: The U.S. Men's Nat'l Team was drawn into Group
     F by FIFA yesterday, with matches set versus Germany,
     Yugoslavia and Iran (U.S. Soccer).  U.S. Coach Steve Sampson
     said the U.S. was placed in "a very difficult group," and to
     say they expect to win against the German Nat'l team "is
     inappropriate and unrealistic" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/5).