LEAGUE NOTES

          NEW EUROPEAN LEAGUE TAKING SHAPE: The FINANCIAL TIMES'
     Patrick Harverson examined the proposed new European soccer
     "super" league, and wrote that the sport's governing bodies,
     including FIFA and the European Football Union (UEFA), "have
     all threatened severe sanctions against clubs that sign up
     to the new league" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 8/8).  
          FIRST SERVES: John McEnroe, on the state of men's
     tennis: "People, when it comes right down to it, aren't
     interested in doing what's generally good for the sport. 
     They're interested in themselves" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/8).
     ....In L.A., J.A. Adande, on the WTA Tour's teenage stars:
     "They have brought new life to their sport.  And unlike
     their trash-talking young counterparts in the NBA, at least
     the Backhand Slice Girls have done something worth bragging
     about. ... [But if] they don't keep pushing ahead, adding to
     their games, a short-attention society will lose interest
     and point their Web browsers elsewhere" (L.A. TIMES, 8/10).