21.   The league is hoping that they will emerge as credible players and therefore help the game to grow in Japan.

22.   The league is hoping to make more soon.

23.   The NBA labor situation becomes cloudier, with the league hoping an agreement is imminent but players and agents rebelling against the union that is negotiating for them.

24.   The new league hopes to unearth the next Tony Meola, Alexi Lalas or Marcelo Balboa.

25.   The NHL and the union want the players to be model citizens at an event the league is hoping will boost television ratings and generate interest in the sport.

26.   Then again, the league hopes the XFL will have a certain blue-collar appeal.

27.   To liven up the All-star Game, the league craftily hoped that North American pride would collide with Russian pride and Swedish pride.

28.   Even if the expansion franchise goes to Houston, the league still hopes to put a team in Los Angeles at some point.

29.   He said those are among the cities the league hopes to expand into.

30.   MLS Commissioner Doug Logan said the league hoped to announce the team Albright will be assigned to later this week.