BRIEFLY NEW WIMBLEDON BOYCOTT THREAT.

A new seeding system might not be enough to prevent a boycott of Wimbledon by some of the top clay-court players.

Despite the organizers' compromise by doubling the number of seedings, the clay-court stars contend the grass-court players get a better deal. Even U.S. Open champion Marat Safin, who doesn't stand to gain either way, supports them.

The biggest problem is that while the top 32 players in the rankings will be guaranteed a seeding, Wimbledon will determine the exact order of the men's seeds based on players' grass-court records.

HOCKEY: Kings general manager Dave Taylor, who made two late-season trades that helped put the club within a game of the Western Conference finals, was named NHL Executive of the Year by The Hockey News.

Taylor, 45, acquired forward Adam Deadmarsh and defenseman --Aaron Miller from Colorado for captain Rob Blake and goaltender Felix Potvin from Vancouver for future considerations.

The moves helped the Kings recover from a sluggish start to record 92 points. It marked the first back-to-back 90-point seasons in franchise history.

Taylor, who recently signed coach Andy Murray to a two-year contract extension, is preparing for next weekend's NHL draft in Sunrise, Fla. As part of the compensation for Blake, the Kings have four of the first 50 picks.

-Matt McHale

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: Stanford, UC Davis, Williams and Simon Fraser are the winners of Directors' Cups in recognition of having the nation's top collegiate athletic programs in the NCAA's three divisions and in the NAIA.

--BASKETBALL: Jason Gardner of Arizona withdrew his name from the NBA draft.

SOCCER: Cobi Jones' suspension was reduced from three game to two by FIFA, making the U.S. midfielder eligible to play in next week's qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago.

FOOTBALL: Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Pittman and former teammate Mario Bates were arrested for separate arguments with women.

--An Oakland Raiders fan was sentenced to five years in prison for stabbing a San Diego Chargers fan after the two teams played at Qualcomm Stadium in October.

- Daily News Wire Services