North America

FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Peter Velappan, head of the Asia Football Confederation, have said they are optimistic that an Asian boycott of the 2002 World Cup would be avoided.

The US Justice Department has brought the first charges from its investigation into the Salt Lake City Olympics bidding scandal as a Utah businessman agreed to plead guilty and cooperate in the probe.

With one-third of its members facing unemployment in less than a month, the US baseball umpires' union has filed an unfair labour practice charge this week against the American and National leagues.

NBC reports that its ad sales for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, are on track despite numerous obstacles.

Isiah International, the company owned by NBA legend Isiah Thomas, is buying a majority stake in the Continental Basketball Association for approximately $10m.

A specially arranged television showdown between top golfers Tiger Woods and David Duval has impressed in the ratings - exceeding those for the British Open two weeks earlier.

The football dreams of America's second-largest city are apparently in limbo after a key negotiator for California Gov. Gray Davis quit, citing frustration over stalled talks with the league.

The US Open is to return to Shinnecock Hills, New York, the United States Golf Association has announced.

Fox Sports Net New England and the Boston Celtics have signed a new agreement that will make the network the television destination of Celtics home and away telecasts in New England.

General Motors Corporation (GM) and the Dallas Cowboys have signed a five-year partnership agreement.

SportsLine Europe Limited have become the exclusive Internet sports media partner for the official Manchester United web site.

Texas Motor Speedway officials plan to build a $2.5 million clay-surfaced track and host prestigious Pennzoil World of Outlaws sprint car races in 2000.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter reaffirmed on Sunday that soccer's governing body would not meet Asia's demands for an automatic fifth berth at the 2002 World Cup finals.

Entertainment giant, Walt Disney Co has approached the billionaire chief executive of Broadcom Corp, Henry T. Nicholas III concerning the possible sale of Disney's

Soccer players in next year's European championships will be advised not to spend all their winnings at once as Dutch tax officials will be insisting on their share.

USA Broadcasting, the eighth largest television broadcast group in the US, has signed a broad, multi-year alliance with the Dallas Mavericks, the first local sports partnership for USAB Dallas Channel 49, set to launch this November.