41.   Players dutifully signed, and later explained that they could not refuse and risk retribution.

42.   Players would sign contracts with the league, which would assign them to teams.

43.   She said the players signed autographs and presented the children with stockings stuffed trading cards, pictures and other gifts.

44.   Some players signed it.

45.   Some dealers, who can peddle superstar autographs for hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars, go to great lengths to get players to sign.

46.   The ABL, for example, is requiring its players to sign exclusive year-round contracts.

47.   The drawback is that the Dodgers no longer would be entitled to a compensatory draft pick should the players sign elsewhere.

48.   The free agency agreement the players signed means that older players will be dumped to make room for young stars coming into their prime.

49.   The major point of contention is the length of contracts signed by players under the middle-class exception.

50.   The players all have signed an agreement pledging to participate as well as submit to the rules and regulations of international basketball, which includes drug testing.